Community Hospital took a significant step towards enhancing public safety on Tuesday morning, April 9, 2024, as Todd Hovey, Community Hospital Clinical Educator, in collaboration with four employees, led an insightful session aimed at increasing awareness of bleeding control measures.

Recognizing the critical role bleeding control plays in saving lives, Hovey spearheaded the educational program “Stop the Bleed,” designed to equip participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to identify and manage life-threatening bleeding effectively. As Hovey emphasized, "With this training, you can save lives."

Of particular note, two students, Preston Hueftle, Community Hospital BioMedical Engineering and Stacey Aguilar Community Hospital Director of Emergency Management have committed to serving as “Stop the Bleed” instructors, furthering Community Hospital's mission to empower individuals with life-saving skills. Their dedication underscores the hospital's ongoing efforts to engage the community in bolstering emergency response capabilities.

Additionally, Hovey is offering American Heart Association's Heartsaver First Aid CPR AED courses. This instructor-led course is designed to prepare students to provide first aid, CPR, and use an automated external defibrillator in a safe, timely, and effective manner. Upon successful completion of the course, including a first aid skills demonstration and a CPR and AED skills test, students receive a Heartsaver First Aid CPR AED course completion card, which is valid for two years.

For any inquiries regarding upcoming "Stop the Bleed" courses or the AHA’s Heartsaver First Aid CPR courses, including future dates and times, please reach out to Todd Hovey at 308.344.8394 or via email at lifesupport@chmccook.org.

Community Hospital remains committed to fostering a culture of preparedness and proactive response, empowering individuals to make a difference in times of need.

Cutline: Students, Matthew Murdock – Director of Safety/Security, Preston Hueftle – BioMedical Engineering, Stacey Aguilar – Director of Emergency Management, and Courtney Quint – Readiness and Response Coordinator display their certificates after completing the “Stop the Bleed” program.