Recording cause of pediatric injuries in the Emergency Department – the tool and its unforeseen benefit

Background In order to fill in gaps in knowledge about injury circumstances, a brief form was designed in which the narrative of the patient or his siblings is recorded in a structured format. This study documents the construction, examines the applicability and the potential benefits of this form. Methods Pediatric Emergency Department staff were involved with injury epidemiologists in planning and designing the form. ICECI compatibility was desired thus the form includes the subheads: mechanism of injury, objects/substances producing injury, place of occurrence, activity when injured and intent. The form was designed as a narrow slip that fits perfectly into the ED paper record and was placed in folders awaiting the arrival of patients. Results The form was completed for 452 children during August 2008. 147 children (33%) had been injured as a result of a fall. The form provided detail on the nature of fall for 96% of them. It further differentiated between types of burns, locations of drowning, type of road crash, types of activity, materials and substances involved (including brand if appropriate). The only field that was not utilized successfully in the form was the diagnosis coded by ICD-9-CM. Conclusion Detailed information on injury circumstances can be obtained in the ED. The form managed to both provide information on the circumstances of pediatric injury and facilitate more structured interview of the family. The form was widely accepted by nursing staff that found self-benefit in its use. The broad adoption of this form is recommended.