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TIP of Linn County Oregon

Trauma Intervention Programs (TIP) of Linn County is a team of properly screened and specially trained volunteers who are called upon by hospitals and other emergency service personnel to provide emotional first aide and practical support to family members and friends during an unexpected crisis.

TIP volunteers provide family members and friends a “shoulder to lean on” during those first traumatic moments and hours following a crisis event.

Why TIP ?

Waiting for news about an extremely ill or seriously injured loved one can be emotionally traumatizing. Receiving a death notification is devastating. Busy hospital and other emergency service personnel often do not have time to provide the emotional care and practical support distraught family members and friends need and deserve. As a result, family members and friends may suffer secondary injuries that often times last far longer than the initial shock of the crisis event.

In order to preserve their careers, hospital and other emergency service personnel must guard themselves from becoming emotionally involved in each and every traumatic incident. Knowing the emotional and practical needs of family and friends are being taken care of, Doctor’s, nurses, paramedics, firefighters, law enforcement officers, receptionists and other emergency service personnel are able to go to their next case without feeling frustrated or emotionally stressed.

When is TIP called ?

Hospital and other emergency service personnel are encouraged to call for a TIP volunteer each time an unexpected crisis incident occurs. Following are a few examples of when a TIP volunteer is called:

  • Assist family members and friends following the death of a loved one
  • Support family members and friends of a patient in critical condition
  • Comfort and support the parents of an infant SIDS death
  • Support a child after his/her parent has been taken to surgery
  • Help an emotionally distraught victim of domestic violence
  • Automobile accidents involving out-of-town/state motorists
  • Provide emotional and practical assistance during and after a house fire

Some of the TIP services

  • Emotional/practical support : volunteers respond immediately to provide “a shoulder to lean on” and/or hands-on “practical guidance”
  • Liaison : volunteers will function as a liaison between distraught and/or demanding family members and friends and hospital and other emergency service personnel
  • Referral : volunteers will assist family members with information regarding hospital and community services including hospital Pastoral Care, local funeral homes, self-help groups, counseling agencies, local clergy, etc.

Several TIP Benefits :

  • Secondary injuries experienced by family members and friends are minimized
  • Patients, family members and friends are left with a “healing memory” rather than a “secondary injury”
  • Hospital and other emergency service personnel experience less emotional stress and frustration knowing the emotional needs of families and friends are being met
  • Local citizens are given an opportunity to be involved in the health and well-being of the citizens of their community
  • Hospital and other emergency service personnel are able to concentrate on patient care with fewer interruptions from family and friends
Last Updated on Sunday, 23 May 2010 18:58