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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Paula J. Yuma, MPH, CHES, Injury Prevention - Trauma Service, Children's Medical Center Dallas, 1935 Motor Street, Dallas, TX 75235, 214-456-7936, paula.yuma@childrens.com

Injury prevention (IP) is an integral part of a comprehensive pediatric trauma program. Pediatric hospitals can utilize the path to trauma center designation as a platform for developing IP programs. Such programs, if well executed, provide benefit to patients and their families, the health care institution, the community, and the state. The effective IP program provides access to essential information and services to traditionally underserved populations. Additionally, the program helps maintain access to the limited pool of acute care resources available by keeping treatment costs and patient volumes controlled.

An IP program is required for pediatric trauma center designation; however, the criteria for an acceptable program are vague. We assert that pediatric trauma centers must utilize a public health approach to IP inclusive of epidemiology, environmental change, behavioral intervention and policy development. There also exists a symbiotic relationship between the trauma and IP programs, in that both rely on access to a detailed trauma registry for program evaluation and quality improvement.

An IP program need not be a financial burden on the hospital. Opportunities exist to fund the program, including: charitable donations, program naming and competitive grants. The IP program of CMC has secured over 50% of its operating budget from such outside sources in the first year of designation. In addition, the program reached over 10 million people in 2005 through the news media, generating an incalculable amount of publicity value for the hospital.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe the benefits of a comprehensive injury prevention program at the individual, institutional, community, and policy levels.
• Utilize a basic framework for planning a hospital-based injury prevention program.
• Identify at least 3 ways for an injury prevention program to secure funding.

Keywords: Injury Prevention, EMS/Trauma

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No