First aid kit installation at a medium-sized University: Program implementation & evaluation.

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Campus Safety
• Health Management

Background:

• First Aid Kits (FAKs) are essential for managing minor injuries.
• Accessible medical supplies are crucial for student well-being on college campuses.
• Student-led initiatives can address campus health needs effectively.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the feasibility and impact of installing First Aid Kits (FAKs) on a university campus.
• To assess usage patterns, maintenance costs, and potential effects on emergency medical services (EMS) and health service utilization.
• To provide a replicable model for FAK implementation in higher education settings.

Main Methods:

• Installation of FAKs across Tufts University as part of a student-led project.
• Collection and analysis of FAK usage data.
• Monitoring of maintenance expenses and comparison with projected costs.
• Assessment of trends in Health Services and EMS utilization for minor injuries.

Main Results:

• FAKs were utilized regularly, with initial high usage decreasing to approximately 60% of initial levels.
• The average monthly cost for refilling each kit was $11.23.
• Data were insufficient to determine the impact on Health Services or EMS call volumes for minor injuries.

Conclusions:

• The FAK project at Tufts University was successful, demonstrating regular use and cost-effectiveness.
• The study provides a blueprint for implementing similar FAK programs on other college campuses.
• Tufts University institutionalized the FAK project within its Department of Public Safety after a one-year pilot program.