LEBANON – Two Dartmouth Health physicians were instrumental in the recently-passed New Hampshire Senate bill to require trauma kits in state-run facilities. SB 204, which received bipartisan support, will require a trauma kit be installed and readily available for bleeding emergencies in state owned buildings identified as high-traffic places for the public and staff. Examples of these buildings include courthouses, the department of motor vehicles, liquor stores, and the State House.

Sen. Sue Prentiss, D-Lebanon, a paramedic by training, worked with Eric D. Martin, MD, and Alexandra Briggs, MD, both trauma surgeons at Dartmouth Health’s Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center (DHMC), on the legislation. Prentiss reached out to Martin, who serves as director of New Hampshire’s trauma system and chair of the state’s trauma medical review committee, for his and Briggs’ assistance after they spoke out in support of Stop the Bleed. This program is an effort of the American College of Surgeons to train people in how to stop bleeding in a severely injured person.

“As the only Level 1 trauma center in the state, we see many critically injured people in New Hampshire at DHMC’s emergency department,” Martin said. “But having the proper initial treatment to stop bleeding when someone is seriously hurt, before they get to the hospital, is crucial to help save lives. Dr. Briggs and I were thrilled to support this effort on the state level to make sure our highest-traffic state-run facilities are equipped with the on hand tools to stop serious bleeding and provide the right care to people in a mass casualty event.”

Uncontrolled bleeding due to trauma is the third leading cause of death in New Hampshire between the ages of 1-45. This legislation will bring hemorrhage control into the hands of the public, supplying a critical need for New Hampshire and aligning with similar bleeding control efforts nationwide.

“As DHMC has the only Level 1 trauma center in the state, it was an honor to work with Dr. Martin and Dr. Briggs on this legislation as they are leading experts in this area. Placing tourniquets in select state-owned buildings is an essential first step in protecting the public and state employees,” Prentiss said. “My hope is that trauma kits will be placed in additional state and local governments, and that schools and the private sector will also see the importance of installing kits in their buildings.”