Streamwood Behavioral Healthcare Systems Celebrates National Safety Month
Streamwood Behavioral Healthcare System
Celebrates National Safety Month
Founded in 1913 and chartered by Congress, the National Safety Council is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to save lives by preventing injuries and deaths at work, in homes and communities, and on the road through leadership, research, education and advocacy. The National Safety Council calls on American communities and organizations to bring safety to the forefront every June across the country during National Safety Month. The goal of National Safety Month is to educate and encourage safe behaviors around leading causes of preventable injuries and deaths. Streamwood Behavioral Healthcare System (SBHS), the largest free-standing psychiatric facility for children and adolescents in the State of Illinois, participated in National Safety Month by hosting a variety of activities and events to encourage safety for the benefit of all patients, staff and visitors.
To kick-off the 2014 National Safety Month, SBHS held a system-wide "Good Catch" contest that encouraged staff to report any "Good Catches" as it related to the Environment of Care and the prevention of staff or patient injuries, slips, trips and falls. SBHS believes that a clean and safe environment is paramount to being the premier provider of behavioral health services for children, adolescents, and young adults in Illinois. Patients were also included in the month's activities as they were provided general safety tips in organized groups and encouraged to participate in special activities related to safety. Bulletin Boards throughout the system were then used to reinforce the need to be continually aware of the importance of safety for all staff and consumers.
Involving the community as a partner in emphasizing safety in work and home environments helps bring an increased level of awareness and importance to this issue. On June 20, 2014, Streamwood Fire Department, Emergency Medical Safety Coordinator presented on "Fire Safety," and the use of fireworks to the patients and staff. Fireworks represent a hallmark of July 4th celebrations. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), consumer fireworks are extremely dangerous causing thousands of injuries and fires each year, mostly to children and teens. That's why the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), coordinator of the Alliance to Stop Consumer Fireworks, urges the public to only attend professional fireworks displays put on by trained professionals. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission's (CPSC) 2012 Fireworks Annual Report, U.S. hospital emergency rooms saw an estimated 8,700 people for fireworks related injuries in 2012. On June 27, 2014 Streamwood Police Department, Police Liaison presented on "Gangs and Drug Violence". SBHS selected Gang and Drug Violence as a safety topic because of the epidemic of gang and drug violence that is prevalent in the United States and affecting the youth population.
The newly appointed CEO of Streamwood Behavioral Healthcare System, Ronald Weglarz (Psy D), expressed his appreciation for the efforts of the SBHS staff and the partnership with the Streamwood Fire and Police Department in educating the patients and staff about safety. Streamwood has been in business for almost 25 years providing behavioral healthcare for children, adolescents, and young adults. "The hospital has made many positive changes, and safety along with H.O.P.E. - Healthy Opportunities in a Peaceful Environment continues to be the hospital's highest priority," states Dr. Weglarz." For more information about our full continuum of behavioral healthcare services, please visit our website at www.streamwoodhospital.com or call 1-800-272-7790 for more information.
Submitted By
Patricia McClure-Chessier