CHARLOTTE — Atrium Health has developed a new plan to try to decrease the number of patients that come into the hospital system due to gun violence.
Dr. David Jacobs, launched the “Violence Intervention Program” at Atrium Health CMC Main, Charlotte’s Level I trauma center.
“We’ve done a study at at Atrium Health Carolina’s Medical Center that shows that if you’re a victim of violence that is seen at the hospital, that you have a one-in-four chance of becoming a victim again,” said Jacobs, the medical director now with the Violence Intervention Program.
Jacobs said the new program will assess patients who have suffered from gun violence, and find the resources they may need to address their needs and ensure they don’t make it back to the hospital.
The risk factors they are looking for could be drug abuse, involvement in gangs, and even living in specific neighborhoods where violence is more likely to happen. Once those risk factors are assessed, they can find the proper resources to help.
“That could be mental health support; that can be housing support; that could be job training; that could be substance abuse, counseling, any number of things that we’ve been able to identify that may contribute to your becoming a violence victim,” said Jacobs.
Jacobs said similar programs across the country have seen a decrease in violent activity.
(WATCH BELOW: Atrium to merge with Wisconsin-based health system; HQ slated for Charlotte)
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