COON RAPIDS, Minn. (Nov. 17, 2022) — Allina Health Coon Rapids Clinic began a pilot program this week to promote firearm safety and safety at home for patients. Interested providers now have the option to give free trigger locks, otherwise known as gun locks, to patients.
“Conversations regarding safety are routinely part of Well Child Checks, Medicare Wellness Visits and other annual visits, giving providers a unique opportunity to offer this safety tool,” said Linette Jacobson, director, Regional Clinic Operations. “If an adult indicates or mentions they have a firearm at home, our providers can now give them a free trigger lock to take home that day.”
Trigger locks have a locking mechanism that fits over a trigger guard, preventing the firearm from being fired. The trigger locks available through a provider at Allina Health Coon Rapids Clinic have a key to open the lock.
Allina Health joined other Minnesota health care systems earlier this year in declaring gun violence a public health crisis and pledged to collaborate and take action on the development of solutions to prevent gun violence. Last month, Allina Health teamed up with other health care systems and community organizations to co-sponsor a gun buyback event.
“The program at Allina Health Coon Rapids Clinic is voluntary for providers and these conversations are not part of the patient or family’s medical record,” said Sally Wahman, vice president, Operations-Primary Care. “Allina Health’s commitment to Whole Person Care relies on our ability to form deeper relationships with the people we serve. We hope this will provide a convenient connection for families interested in getting a trigger lock, and we look forward to learning from this pilot program.”
Allina Health is dedicated to the prevention and treatment of illness and enhancing the greater health of individuals, families and communities throughout Minnesota and western Wisconsin. A nonprofit health care system, Allina Health cares for patients from beginning to end-of-life through its 90+ clinics, 12 hospital campuses, 14 retail pharmacies, and many specialty care centers and specialty medical services, home care, and emergency medical transportation services. Learn more at allinahealth.org and join us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.