Oroville, CA – Oroville Hospital’s Emergency Services Department (or ESD) will be participating in the Every 15 Minutes program. This program helps bring awareness to teenagers of the potential dangers and consequences of drinking alcohol and texting while driving. The Every 15 Minutes program will be conducted at Prospect High School, Oroville High School, and Las Plumas High School on May 19th and 20th. Real life simulations will take place that will include participation of students, parents, high school staff, California Highway Patrol, Oroville Police Department, El Medio Fire Department, Oroville Fire Department, Cal Fire/Butte County Fire Department, First Responder Ambulance, and Oroville Hospital.
On May 19th a simulated crash will take place at all three Oroville high schools. First Responders will go to the scene and transport victims to Oroville Hospital’s ESD. The ESD will treat the victims as if it were a real life situation. The victim’s will have a wide range of injuries. Parents will be called to the hospital and Doctor’s will interact with them to communicate the situation.
Assemblies will be conducted the following day at each school to go over the footage and consequences. Dr. Harpartap Sandhu, who works in Oroville Hospital’s ESD, and Paul Robie, the Physician Assistant Director at Oroville Hospital, will be speaking to students about their experiences as medical providers in dealing with teenage victims. They will also discuss what it is like talking to parents and the affects it has on them.
The purpose of the simulation is to stress that the decision to consume alcohol can affect more people than just the one drinking and bring awareness to the dangers of texting while driving. Barbara Ellis, a registered nurse at Oroville Hospital and who is helping coordinate this event, says, “Even if you can save one person, it’s all going to be worth it. You never know who you’ll impact.”
Oroville Hospital is a strong supporter of this community and will do whatever it takes to help educate the public of the consequences of drinking and texting while driving.
For more information regarding the Every 15 Minutes program please visit their website at www.every15minutes.com. For general information about Oroville Hospital please call us at 530-533-8500 or visit our website at www.orovillehospital.com.