UK Chandler Hospital emergency physicians urge Kentuckians to prepare for summer “trauma season”

Officials at UK Chandler Hospital are urging Kentuckians to take basic precautions as the summer outdoor season increases the volume and variety of injuries seen in emergency departments, a period hospital staff describe as “trauma season.” In an interview with LEX 18 News published July 2, Patrick Grace, assistant chief medical officer at UK Chandler Hospital, said most summer injuries are preventable and that preparation can reduce both minor injuries and the likelihood that problems escalate into emergency-level cases.

Grace said UK Chandler Hospital is one of two Level 1 trauma centers in Kentucky, and that the surge in warm-weather activity changes what clinicians see. “We are one of two level one trauma centers in the state of Kentucky, and we affectionately refer to our summer months as trauma season,” Grace said, describing patterns that include both small cuts and sprains that could otherwise be treated promptly.

On the practical side, Grace emphasized footwear and basic outdoor planning. He said the right shoes can significantly affect injury risk for people spending time outside, recommending that people wear hiking shoes and avoid stepping into unfamiliar grass without something covering the feet and ankles. He also urged residents to use a simple checklist approach before heading out, rather than grabbing items at the last minute, with phone access, water, and basic supplies among the essentials.

Grace said clinicians see many common injuries begin small, including minor ankle sprains, scrapes, cuts, and tick bites. “You’re gonna see things like minor ankle sprains, scrapes, cuts, tick bites,” he said, adding that the early decisions people make about footwear, hydration, and where they plan to go can influence whether those incidents remain minor or require higher-acuity care.

Knowing where to seek help is another component of the hospital’s guidance, Grace said. He described urgent care as appropriate for minor injuries, while recommending emergency department evaluation for symptoms that involve the head, breathing difficulties, severe pain, or concerns that worsening is occurring. “Urgent cares are great for minor injuries. ERs are where you wanna go for anything that involves your head, your breathing, severe pain, things that you worry that are getting worse,” Grace said.

The hospital’s broader public health messaging also includes steps aimed at reducing heat-related illness risk. In a separate UK HealthCare column published May 26 and also written by Patrick Grace in his role as medical director for the UK Albert B. Chandler Hospital Emergency Department, officials urged Kentuckians to hydrate proactively, stay in air-conditioned spaces when possible, and wear loose, lightweight and light-colored clothing to help the body manage heat. That column advised cooling the body quickly with cool showers or baths and highlighted that risks increase for older adults and people with chronic conditions or medications that affect temperature regulation.

Taken together, the guidance reflects an emergency-care reality that when summertime accidents and medical issues arrive, the earlier residents take basic protective steps and match symptoms to the right care setting, the more likely clinicians can prevent complications. As summer activities pick up across the Commonwealth, UK Chandler Hospital officials said the message is straightforward: prepare before going out, take precautions against common outdoor hazards, and seek emergency care when warning signs suggest a situation is escalating or involves serious systems like breathing or the head.

The hospital did not outline a specific timeline for changes in staffing or capacity in the July 2 interview, but the message coincides with the seasonal increase in outdoor activity. Residents seeking more information can look to UK HealthCare’s summer safety resources for additional heat and injury-prevention steps, while clinicians continue to emphasize that preventable missteps are often the starting point for what arrives at trauma-capable facilities during the warm months.