WellCommons

From left, Lawrence Police Chief Tarik Khatib, and Detective Capt. Mike Pattrick, along with Lawrence Memorial Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Julie Jacobson watch Sarah Martin, also a SANE nurse, demonstrate a new imaging system used to collect evidence in sexual assault cases. LMH had a private open house Thursday, Sept. 9, 2010, for its SANE program. by Richard Gwin

District Attorney Charles Branson lauded Lawrence Memorial Hospital for improving its services to sexual assault victims during the past couple of years.

“There has been tremendous improvement,” Branson said. “The training and emphasis LMH has put on these cases is wonderful.”

LMH has a new examination room, new state-of-the-art equipment, and more nurses trained to be a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE). The hospital went from two nurses to 10, and there are three nurses who are in the process of completing their training. There is one nurse on call at any given time. Last year, LMH paid $118,245 for SANE nurses to be on call.

“They now have 24/7 coverage for sexual assault exams,” Branson said.

These improvements began in September 2009 when Branson publicly raised concerns about the number of rape victims being transferred from LMH to hospitals in Topeka and Kansas City.

At the time, he said delays in an examination could destroy evidence needed to hold an attacker accountable. He also feared that victims would abandon the reporting process instead of going to another hospital.

Since then, there have been no transfers of adult patients. There were 40 cases in 2010, and 45 last year. In 2009, three of the 64 cases were transferred. In 2008, five of the 34 cases were transferred.

Pediatric cases

Branson and LMH leaders agree that it’s still best to send pediatric cases — children 14 and younger — to Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, Mo., because it is better equipped and trained to handle such cases.

Jessie Fazel, SANE coordinator at LMH, said it takes 40 hours of training to become a SANE nurse and an additional 40 hours for pediatrics. At LMH, the nurses also go through an orientation process where they observe a couple of sexual assault cases, assist a couple of cases and then they are observed taking care of two cases. After they become a SANE nurse, Fazel said they need to perform cases to stay proficient and competent.

She said there are not enough pediatric cases in Lawrence to do that. There were three children transferred last year, one in 2010, and five in 2009.

“Children’s Mercy has a dedicated facility that only deals with child abuse and sexual assault cases,” Fazel said. “It would kind of do them an injustice to keep them here.”

If someone is concerned that a child has been sexually assaulted, Fazel said they can go to LMH where the hospital will facilitate law enforcement involvement and transportation to Children’s Mercy.

“We are here as a resource and we know how to facilitate all of that,” she said. “We strive to be the best in everything we do and we want to provide the best care that we can to our community.”

Fazel is president-elect of the Kansas chapter of the International Association of Forensic Nurses. The state chapter formed in January 2011 and the meetings rotate quarterly among eight Kansas hospitals, including LMH. She said topics have included the court process, documentation and missing and exploited children.

In addition, Fazel said LMH will be hosting a two-day advanced training session in May for SANE nurses and anyone involved in a sexual assault response. The sessions will feature nationally known speakers in the field of forensic collection.

Sarah Jane Russell, executive director of GaDuGi SafeCenter, praised LMH for its response to a community need.

“They responded with great integrity and they got it done,” she said.

Russell said the new examination room has made a huge difference for victims. It is located away from the Emergency Department and is designed to give victims more privacy and a sense of security and hope. There also is a shower.

“For a victim to be able to receive treatment in a private room that is welcoming and soothing that means everything,” she said. “We have had comments from victims that the experience at the hospital was not as upsetting as they thought it might be.”

LMH began using a new $25,000 system for collecting evidence called a Secure Digital Forensic Imaging System in June 2010. The camera It provides high-resolution and detail-oriented evidence. There is a yearly fee of $900 for the electronic encryption and storage capabilities.

“It’s very safe for transferring the information online,” Fazel said.

The startup costs for the new services cost about $150,000, and it was provided through the Douglas County Community Foundation, Douglas County District Attorney’s Office, LMH Endowment Association and LMH employee Audrey Bishop.

Jessie Fazel, coordinator of Lawrence Memorial Hospital's Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner program, is holding a high-resolution digital camera that is used to collect evidence. The hospital began using the camera in June 2010. The camera is just one of several improvements that the hospital has made during the past couple of years in its services to sexual assault victims. by Kevin Anderson

Community efforts

There has been a renewed effort for sexual assault response among Douglas County agencies as well.

Branson said communication has improved among members of the Sexual Assault Response Team, which has been around for years. Members include the district attorney’s office, LMH, Lawrence Police Department, Douglas County Sheriff’s Department, Kansas University’s Watkins Health Center and GaDuGi SafeCenter. This fall, the group created a new protocol that defined their roles.

Russell said that was a big step for the group.

“I think there is a greater recognition of the importance of a coordinated community response,” she said.

There is no charge to a patient for a SANE exam, and by law the hospital is required to provide this community service. It costs approximately $2,000 per case. The Douglas County District Attorney’s office pays $500 per case and the balance is written off by LMH. Last year, the district attorney’s office paid $250 per case. The payment will increase to $750 next year.

BY THE NUMBERS

Lawrence Memorial Hospital has improved its services to sexual assault victims. Here’s a review of the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner program in 2011:

• 48 — sexual assault cases.

• 0 — adult transfers.

• 3 — transfers of children ages 14 and younger to Children’s Mercy Hospital.

• 4 — instances where two or three victims were in the ER at the same time.

• 28 — patients elected to report to law enforcement.

• 8 — patients elected to not report to law enforcement, but sent evidence to KBI to be kept up to five years. Victim can file a report and pursue charges within this timeframe.

• 9 — patients declined or were out of the 72-hour window for forensic evidence collection.

• 10 — nurses trained to handle SANE cases.

• 3 — nurses are in process of completing orientation.

• $118,245 — wages paid to have one nurse on-call.

• $2,000 — approximate cost per SANE exam for LMH. There is no charge for patients.

• $250 — district attorney’s office paid LMH per case.

Lawrence Memorial Hospital, 325 Maine.

Be careful!

In July, Lawrence Memorial Hospital's emergency room treated 31 patients with heat-related symptoms of which 6 were admitted.

Today, LMH treated 3 people.

Here are some tips to prevent heat-related illness from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment:

• Spend more time indoors. If a home is not air-conditioned, spend time in public facilities that are air-conditioned.

• Drink plenty of water. Drink water even if you are not thirsty.

• Avoid caffeinated and alcoholic beverages.

• Wear loose light colored clothing and sunscreen.

• Schedule outdoor activities carefully; try to schedule activities early in the day or later in the evening.

• Limit outdoor activities; take frequent breaks to cool off.

• Monitor people at high risk — elderly, children and pets.

• Eat light meals

Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center, 200 Maine, is a nonprofit agency that serves Douglas County. It provides a variety of services that range from helping someone who is in crisis to helping someone with depression or anxiety. by Nick Krug

Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center’s CEO David Johnson is pleading for no more cuts in state funding.

The center, which serves 5,600 Douglas County residents annually, already has lost more than $1.1 million during the past several years.

In state fiscal year 2010, the center lost $565,000, which resulted in cutting a program that helps people transition from a hospital into the community. It also cut funding for a housing assistance program.

Over the years, it has reduced community outreach and staff.

Gov. Sam Brownback has proposed cutting $15.2 million in funding to community mental health centers. Johnson estimates that will cost Bert Nash, located in the Community Health Facility at 200 Maine, another $372,000.

“I was not expecting this cut, and we still have some hopes that the administration will take a little closer look at what these cuts actually mean,” Johnson said.

Kansas’ 27 community mental health centers have lost about $33.5 million in state funding since 2008.

Michael Hammond, executive director of the Association of Community Mental Health Centers of Kansas, said the result has been increased hospital admissions, emergency room visits, jail time and suicide calls. He expects the problems will only be exacerbated if the Legislature approves the proposed cuts.

“State aid allows CMHCs to serve as the mental health safety net clinic for all Kansans,” he said. “As one of my directors explains, ‘We are the fire department for mental health. The beneficiaries of these services are the uninsured and underinsured, over 70,000 Kansans.”

Area hospital leaders agree.

“I think if access to outpatient mental health care is compromised, individuals may be forced to rely on the emergency room services,” said Lawrence Memorial Hospital CEO Gene Meyer. “Obviously, the numbers show that we are meeting a pretty significant community need and fully expect those numbers to rise.”

In 2010, Lawrence Memorial Hospital had 1,031 patients visits that required psychiatric assessment. Of those 626 required an in-depth evaluation and stabilization. The hospital transferred 391 patients to in-patient hospitals. Forty-five percent of the transfers were to Stormont-Vail Hospital, which has 64 in-patient beds.

“We’ve been able to handle what we’ve been faced with, and we have a seen a steady increase in the past 10 years and an acceleration in that increase in the past 12 months,” said Nancy Burkhardt, spokeswoman for Stormont-Vail.

She said occasionally there is a day’s wait for a room.

“If the funding cuts were to affect those organization’s crisis services, then we definitely would see an impact and an increase because that would be the patients’ only other option,” she said.

Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services spokesman Bill Miskell said patient volume fluctuates at the state mental health hospitals and currently is holding steady, but last summer they did have to delay intakes.

A Lawrence resident, who wanted to remain anonymous, said having access to such in-patient mental health services was critical for her son two years ago.

“If a room wouldn’t have been available, he wouldn’t be here,” she said.

Therapist Merrill Evans takes a phone call Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2010, in the Access Center at Bert Nash Community Health Center. Sherry Demarest, team leader of the Access Center, says the most common way that patients first make contact with Bert Nash is through a phone call. People call to ask general questions, when in crisis, or to make an appointment. The phones are answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The number is 843-9192. by Nick Krug

Johnson said he strongly believes cutting mental health services will not save the state money. He said studies have shown:

• People with mild depression use two to three times as much health care, or resources, as other people.

• Workers with depressive disorders are absent five hours more per week than the rest of the work force.

• The treatment success rates for such disorders as depression (more than 80 percent), panic disorder (70-90 percent) and schizophrenia (60 percent), surpass those of other medical conditions such as heart disease (45-50 percent).

“They (people with mental illness) are not going to get better without treatment. The problems are going to show up some place if we are not providing services,” Johnson said. “It’s not like the problems are going to disappear.”

Hammond said those places include: psychiatric hospitals, correctional facilities and homeless shelters.

On average, it costs:

• $428 per day in a state psychiatric hospital.

• $80 per day at Larned Correctional Mental Health Facility.

On Thursday, Brownback acknowledged his proposed cut would be difficult for community mental health centers, but he said the state faces a large revenue shortfall. He welcomed alternative suggestions.

“This is a tough budgetary atmosphere,” Brownback said.

He added that the $200 million in additional funds he is proposing for Medicaid will indirectly help community mental health agencies.

Johnson said they already are losing money on Medicaid patients and the population is growing.

“Overall, we don’t break even on Medicaid so providing more services means we need the grants to cover increased losses due to inadequate Medicaid rates,” he said.

Janice Storey, director of Children and Family Services, says treatment for children can last a few sessions or a few years. She said the earlier parents seek treatment — the better and quicker the recovery. by Nick Krug

ER statistics

Lawrence Memorial Hospital’s emergency room had 1,031 visits for patients who required psychiatric assessment and emergent care in 2010.

Of those, 626 were transferred to LMH’s Crisis Stabilization Service, an area adjacent to the main ER dedicated for more in-depth evaluating and stabilizing psychiatric patients. Here’s a breakdown on usage of the service in 2010:

• 32 — average age.

• 305 — male.

• 321 — female.

• 445 — consultations by Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center provided.

• 391 — transferred to a psychiatric hospital.

• 13 — admitted to LMH for medical care.

• 214 — discharged.

• 8 — left against medical advice.

Their symptoms were:

• 284 — depression.

• 89 — anxiety.

• 36 — bipolar.

• 22 — schizophrenia.

• 249 — suicidal.

• 11 — homicidal.

Children around Lawrence and across northeast Kansas were left to play in the snow Monday, Jan. 10, 2011, after several inches of snow fell and led school districts to call off Monday classes. About three inches of snow had fallen by Monday morning with snow showers projected for the rest of the day. by Mike Yoder

Lawrence Memorial Hospital employees urge residents to use caution when spending time outdoors in the snowy and bitterly cold conditions.

These weather conditions can result in back and shoulder pains from shoveling, sprains and broken bones from falls and frost bite and hypothermia.

Shoveling snow

Here’s how to avoid shoveling injuries, according to Kim King, physical therapist with LMH Kreider Rehabilitation Services:

• Before shoveling, warm up muscles with stretching and light walking around the house.

• Wear light, layered, water-repellent clothing because it provides ventilation and insulation. Avoid falls by wearing shoes that have slip-resistant soles.

• Take frequent breaks and prevent dehydration by drinking plenty of fluids.

• Try to push the snow instead of lifting it. Do not throw the snow over your shoulder or to the side. This requires a twisting motion that stresses your back. If you must lift, do it properly. Squat with your legs apart, knees bent and back straight. Lift with your legs. Do not bend at the waist. Scoop small amounts of snow into the shovel and walk to where you want to dump it. Holding a shovelful of snow with your arms outstretched puts too much weight on your spine.

• Call a doctor if you injure yourself and the pain lasts for more than a week or it’s getting worse — not better.

Avoiding hypothermia

Toni Reynolds, LMH emergency room physician, said anyone can get hypothermia, which is when the core body temperature is too low. It is an emergency condition and can quickly lead to unconsciousness and death.

Her advice is to bundle up when outdoors, cover extremities and don’t stay outside for a prolonged period of time. To avoid frostbite, keep your hands and feet dry.

Early signs of hypothermia include: shivering; cold, pale or blue-gray skin; apathy; poor judgment; mild unsteadiness in balance or walking; slurred speech; and numb hands and fingers.

“If you are feeling abnormal in any way, it is an indication that you need to get your body inside and warmed up,” she said.

Treatment includes changing out of wet clothes, using blankets and heaters, and drinking warm fluids.

Call 911, if someone has these late-stage symptoms: trunk of body is cold to touch; muscles become stiff; slow pulse; shallow and slower breathing; weakness; sleepiness; confusion; loss of consciousness; and shivering.

As of late Monday afternoon, LMH's emergency room had three patients who were in vehicle accidents, but no other weather-related injuries.

MORE SAFETY TIPS

Safe Kids Kansas offers advice on how to avoid sledding injuries. For more, click on the WellCommons story "Thousands of kids injured in sledding accidents — so be safe."

Gabriel Bush, who was born Wednesday at Lawrence Memorial Hospital, is more interested in watching his mom Alyson Bush then the video she is watching about safe sleep procedures. LMH helped create a new video "ABC's of Safe Sleep," and is giving new parents a copy to take home. by Kevin Anderson

Alone, on their back, in a crib.

That’s the message that health experts want parents, grandparents and caregivers to remember when putting an infant to sleep.

It could save the baby’s life.

“Our infant mortality rates are significantly higher than other states,” said Christy Schunn, executive director of SIDS Network of Kansas.

In 2008, 303 Kansas infants died before their first birthdays. Of those deaths, 52, or 17 percent, were contributed to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. SIDS is the leading cause of death among Kansas infants between the ages of one month and one year.

“SIDS is unpreventable because we don’t know exactly what it is,” Schunn said. “But, there seems to be a cross section of babies that are diagnosed with SIDS every year that might have survived if safe sleep had been known and practiced.”

Safe sleep is placing an infant alone, on its back, in a crib.

Back to sleep

Research has shown that babies who sleep on their tummies are five times more likely to die of SIDS. If a baby typically sleeps on its back, and someone puts the baby to sleep on its tummy, the baby is 18 times more likely to die of SIDS.

“We’ve had cases where mom and dad were putting the baby on its back to sleep and the child care provider didn’t. That’s because there was no communication between the child care provider and parents about how the baby sleeps,” Schunn said.

About 20 percent of infants who die from SIDS each year die in child care, she said. Of that 20 percent, half of them die on the first day and one-third of them in the first week.

In 1994, a national Back to Sleep campaign was started to encourage parents to put their infants to sleep on their backs to reduce the risk of SIDS. Since then, the rate has been reduced by 50 percent.

Now, the infant mortality rate has leveled off. So, health agencies are expanding the message to include nonsmoking environments, no sleeping with parents, no extra blankets in addition to no sleeping on their stomachs. That’s because 95 percent of babies who died of SIDS had one of those risk factors involved.

“There’s a lot we can do to reduce sleep-related deaths,” Schunn said.

Gabriel Bush is held by his father, Russ Bush of Lawrence, Oct. 14, 2010, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital. LMH is part of a statewide collaborative effort to educate parents and caregivers about safe sleep habits for infants. It encourages parents to watch a new video, "ABC's of Safe Sleep." The video talks about the importance of placing an infant alone, on its back, and in a crib for safe sleep. by Kevin Anderson

After viewing a video on the "ABC's of Safe Sleep," Alyson Bush gets a copy of the video and a worksheet from Cora Koch, maternity nurse at Lawrence Memorial Hospital. Russ Bush holds his newborn son, Gabriel. Kansas University is collecting and evaluating data on how helpful the video is in educating parents on safe sleep habits. by Kevin Anderson

Lawrence leading new effort

Schunn and a group of Lawrence area health professionals searched for a good educational tool on safe sleep for babies, but were unsuccessful. So, they went to work on a 12-minute video called “The ABC's of Safe Sleep.” The video was co-written, produced, directed, and edited by John Drees, of Safe Kids of Douglas County and community education specialist at Lawrence Memorial Hospital. It features seven local families who volunteered their time.

“Hundreds of hours went into it,” Drees said.

“The ABC's of Safe Sleep” is now available online at safesleepkansas.org and YouTube.

The video is part of a two-year collaborative project that involved Safe Kids of Douglas County, LMH, Kansas University’s department of behavioral psychology, Children’s Mercy Hospital, the SIDS Network of Kansas, Child Care Aware, Lawrence Parents as Teachers, and the Kansas Department of Environment and Health.

“Overall, the goal of the video project was to have a consistent message about safe sleep,” Schunn said. “I think we were successful.”

Lawrence Memorial Hospital is serving as a pilot site for the project. On Sept. 1, it began sending a copy of the video home with every new parent. While in the hospital, the parents are evaluated on what they know about safe sleep before and after watching the video. KU is collecting the data and identifying whether the video helped educate the parents.

Last year, 1,150 babies were born at LMH.

The video also is shown on the hospital’s medical TV station.

On Thursday, Dr. Jeffrey Colvin, a hospitalist at Children’s Mercy Hospital, will provide a continuing medical education course on safe sleep to LMH staff.

Schunn said the goal is to roll out this effort statewide to help educate all of the people who come in contact with the approximately 40,000 babies born each year in Kansas.

“We have a lot of people to educate and that’s why the video is so perfect,” she said. “Everyone has access to it.”

Mom describes loss

SIDS Network of Kansas has provided bereavement services and community awareness since 1997.

“Any time you sit down and talk to a bereaved parent that has had a baby die of SIDS, they will say go out and educate people about safe sleep,” Schunn said.

She said about half — or 12 — of the agency’s board of directors are bereaved parents or grandparents.

That includes Tracey McNeely, 49, of Wichita.

Her second son, Josh Antle, weighed 9 pounds, 1 ounce when he was born in 1980.

“He was healthy, no problems,” she said. “I put him to bed one evening and woke up the next day and he was dead.”

He was 3 months and 25 days old.

“When my son died, I had no one to talk to,” McNeely said. “My husband and I divorced 10 years after he died. It was just something we couldn’t get past, and the way we grieved was totally different and there was nobody around to explain that to us.”

Twenty years later, she had a daughter. She said getting through each night was very difficult. She was grateful that the SIDS Network was available. She said the founders talked her through a lot of evenings.

“It was a lifesaver — literally,” she said. “After you’ve lost a child, and then you have a subsequent child, it’s really difficult not to be so stunned with fear that the whole first year is not just your terror.”

Three years later, she had a son who was born a month early. At six weeks, he had a seizure.

“It was a very hard year,” she said. “If it hadn’t been for Christy (Schunn) being there as support, I don’t know what I would have done.”

While the cause of her son’s death is unknown, McNeely said she put him to sleep on his tummy.

“That was the rule. That was the safe thing back then,” she said.

Since then, there has been new research on SIDS. She hopes everyone watches the new video.

“Safe sleep is really important. I am hoping it helps reach everyone,” she said.

McNeely’s expecting her second grandchild in April, and she’s already advised her 32-year-old son about the ABC's of safe sleep.

“I said, ‘I won’t meddle in anything, but this, OK?’” she said, laughing.

Lawrence Memorial Hospital Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Coordinator Jessie Fazel looks over the new Secure Digital Forensic Imaging system Thursday, Sept. 9, 2010. She explained how the new $25,000 piece of equipment will be used to collect evidence during a private open house. by Richard Gwin

Lawrence Memorial Hospital has stepped up its efforts during the past year to increase services to sexual assault victims.

Those efforts include training more nurses, creating a new examination room and purchasing a $25,000 state-of-the-art imaging system.

“We have really striven to be at the forefront of evidence collection. Our patients are going to receive the best care in the area, and we have amazing equipment that we can now use,” said Jessie Fazel, Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) coordinator and nurse. “I feel like we are well equipped to handle these cases.”

Last fall, District Attorney Charles Branson raised concerns about the number of adult victims being transferred to hospitals in Topeka and Kansas City.

In 2008, there were 34 sexual assault patients and five were transferred. In 2009, there were 69 patients and three were transferred.

The problem was that LMH didn’t have enough nurses trained to handle sexual assault cases. At the time of Branson’s letter, there were five. Now, there are 17.

This year, there have been 39 patients and no transfers.

“The hospital has done a great job of training new staff and putting some really great efforts forward to make this a really great community hospital that can serve all of the needs of people in Lawrence and Douglas County,” Branson said.

From left, Lawrence Police Chief Tarik Khatib, and Detective Capt. Mike Pattrick, along with Lawrence Memorial Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Julie Jacobson watch Sarah Martin, also a SANE nurse, demonstrate a new imaging system used to collect evidence in sexual assault cases. LMH had a private open house Thursday, Sept. 9, 2010, for its SANE program. by Richard Gwin

Sarah Martin, a Lawrence Memorial Hospital nurse who is trained to handle sexual assault patients, demonstrates the new Secure Digital Forensic Imaging system during an open house Thursday, Sept. 9, 2010, at the hospital. The system captures sharper images that can be used as evidence in a sexual assault cases. by Richard Gwin

He was among 40 people who attended a private open house Wednesday of the new third-floor examination room.

SANE nurses answered questions and demonstrated how the new Secure Digital Forensic Imaging system captures sharper images. The system also has a high level data encryption which secures the evidence collected.

According to LMH, it is the first hospital in northeast Kansas and the Kansas City region to use the system.

“It is absolutely amazing,” Branson said. “We can really use that information and those images in courtrooms to prosecute offenders and hold them accountable for their crimes.”

He also was impressed by the examination room, which is designed to give victims more privacy and a sense of security and hope. There also is a shower.

“The room is great,” Branson said. “What they’ve done is they’ve paid attention to some real detail and really created a room that’s going to be a comfortable environment for somebody that’s going through a traumatic situation. It’s not a sterile environment that you would kind of expect in a hospital setting.”

The new services cost about $150,000, and it was provided through the Douglas County Community Foundation, Douglas County District Attorney’s Office, LMH Endowment Association and Audrey Bishop.

Bishop, associate vice president of LMH’s physician division, didn’t want to reveal how much she donated, but said it was a worthwhile cause.

“I am a former attorney, so I know how important the evidence is, and I was thrilled that we had the opportunity to provide a safe and caring place for victims,” she said.

Nurses will begin using the new examination room and equipment today.

Lawrence clinical social worker John Fittell listens during a suicide prevention seminar Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2010, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital. Litts talked about the risk factors and warning signs associated with suicide and also preventative measures. by Nick Krug

In our country, one person dies by suicide every 15 minutes.

In Kansas, one person dies by suicide every day.

In Douglas County, 10 people died by suicide during the first five months of this year.

“Suicide prevention starts with people being kind to each other, people paying attention to each other and with people being able to ask for help when they need it,” said Marcia Epstein, director of Headquarters Counseling Center in Lawrence and chair of the state’s Suicide Prevention Committee.

As part of National Suicide Prevention Week, Headquarters Counseling Center and Lawrence Memorial Hospital sponsored a suicide prevention seminar Wednesday night at the hospital. About 30 people attended the seminar that was presented by David Litts, of the National Suicide Prevention Resource Center.

David Litts, director of Science and Policy at the national Suicide Prevention Resource Center, gives a presentation "Preventing the Suicide of Someone You Know, Someone You Love," Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2010, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital. by Nick Krug

He went over risk factors, warning signs and what to do if someone is contemplating suicide.

“Suicide is preventable,” he said. “If people would equip themselves — similar to the way we’ve taught people to do CPR and Heimlich maneuvers — they can detect people who are at risk for suicide and they as an individual can intervene by asking them directly, ‘Have you been thinking about suicide?’”

It’s the hardest question to ask, he said, but it can save a life.

During the presentation, he presented statistics, such as:

• White males, 85 and older, have the highest suicide rate of any group in the country. But, he emphasized, suicide doesn’t discriminate.

• One million people attempt suicide each year, and 500,000 are hospitalized.

• Eight million people seriously think about taking their life each year.

For more information on suicide prevention, contact Headquarters Counseling Center at www.hqcc.lawrence.ks.us or 841-2345, which is a 24/7 hotline.

Light a candle by kbritt

JOIN THE CAUSE

• International Suicide Prevention Day is Friday. Everyone is encouraged to light a candle near a window at 8 p.m. to show support for suicide prevention, to remember a lost loved one, and for survivors of suicide.

• Headquarters Counseling Center is having its third annual Poker Run called “Life Support Ride” on Sunday. Registration begins at 11 a.m. and the ride starts at noon from Biemer’s BBQ, 2120 W. Ninth St. Stops include: Helen’s Hilltop in Tonganoxie, High Noon Saloon in Leavenworth, Kobi’s in Bonner Springs, and Johnny’s Tavern. Suggested donation is $20 for first poker hand, and $5 each extra hand. No pre-registration required.

• Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center offers a 12-hour Mental Health First Aid course over four weeks, and it is open to anyone. The first class covers suicide prevention. The cost is $25 and includes a manual and snacks. Classes are from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on the second floor of Bert Nash, 200 Maine. Classes have been scheduled for: Oct. 4, 11, 18 and 25; and Nov. 1, 8, 15 and 22. To sign up or for more information, contact Lauren Greib at lgreib@bertnash.org or call 830-1837. I am currently taking this class and plan to post more about suicide prevention this weekend.

Every year, 32,000 people in our country die by suicide.

As part of National Suicide Prevention Week, Headquarters Counseling Center and Lawrence Memorial Hospital are sponsoring a free presentation “Preventing the Suicide of Someone You Know, Someone You Love” for the community.

It will be from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 8, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital’s auditorium, 325 Maine.

The presenter will be David Litts, of the National Suicide Prevention Resource Center.

For more information or to reserve a space, call LMH’s Connect Care at 749-5800 or click on LMH's website.

Douglas County agencies will test their response to a hazardous materials disaster in Lawrence next week.

“We do exercises, so we can test different plans. A plan is not anything if it sits on the shelf,” said Teri Smith, director of Douglas County Emergency Management.

The full-scale disaster exercise will be conducted from 8:30 a.m. to noon Tuesday and it will involve the following emergency response agencies: Lawrence-Douglas County Fire & Medical, Douglas County Haz-Mat Team, Douglas County Emergency Communications Center, Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department, Lawrence Police Department, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Kansas All-Hazards Behavioral Health Team, Douglas County Public Information Officers, Douglas County Purchasing Office and American Red Cross.

Kansas University, Kansas Division of Emergency Management and other neighboring agencies will assist with the administration and evaluation of the exercise.

Lawrence Memorial Hospital also will test its mass casualty plan.

Smith said 215 people will be involved in the exercise, including about 50 volunteers. Signs will be posted at the exercise sites.

The full-scale exercise is being funded by a $40,000 Hazardous Materials Exercise Planning grant that is funneled through the state. They received the grant in August and have been planning since.

“I think a lot of times people don’t realize what all goes into preparing for a disaster — all of the training, all of the exercises and planning. It’s to make sure that it will all run smoothly when the incident happens,” Smith said.

Douglas County Emergency Management is required to do a disaster scenario every three to five years. Smith said they conduct between eight and 12 various-sized exercises every year.

Lawrence Memorial Hospital, 325 Maine.

Lawrence Memorial Hospital Endowment Association has purchased a Secure Digital Forensic Imaging System for the emergency department.

The system is used to document and collect evidence in sexual assault and physical abuse cases. It will allow for the capture of sharper and higher quality documentation of evidence. The system also has high level data encryption which secures the evidence collected.

The association said in a press release Wednesday that the equipment will be used by LMH’s sexual assault nurse examiners when evaluating patients who have experienced sexual and/or physical abuse.

Donations from the LMH Endowment Association, Douglas County District Attorney’s Office, the Douglas County Community Foundation and LMH employee Audrey Bishop made the purchase possible.

The purchase comes six months after District Attorney Charles Branson wrote a letter to LMH President and CEO Gene Meyer expressing his concern about the number of rape victims being sent to out-of-town hospitals.

“This is a problem that’s been ongoing for a while,” he said in a September interview.

Branson said that turning people away could lead some rape victims to abandon the reporting process and that delays in examination could destroy evidence needed to hold an attacker accountable.

During an October interview, Meyer said LMH planned to boost the number of sexual assault nurses capable of performing the exams from five to 17.

According to Wednesday’s release, LMH now has 12 nurses trained to handle such exams.

Both LMH and the District Attorney’s office declined to comment until a news conference on Thursday afternoon.

— 6News Director Jesse Fray contributed information to this story.