A computerized child passenger safety screening program in the emergency department.

Objectives: The emergency department (ED) can be an effective site for pediatric injury prevention initiatives, including child passenger safety. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the implementation of an ED child passenger safety program and to analyze the effectiveness of a computerized screening tool to identify car seat-related needs for children younger than 8 years.

Methods: An ED-based group developed a child passenger safety program including (1) a computerized screening tool to assess the use of car seats in children younger than 8 years; (2) child passenger safety education, including state law; and (3) distribution of appropriate car seats for patients discharged from the ED.

An Inpatient Child Passenger Safety program.

Background. Our institution implemented an Inpatient Child Passenger Safety (CPS) program for hospitalized children to improve knowledge and compliance with the Massachusetts CPS law, requiring children less than 8 years old or 57 inches tall to be secured in a car seat when in a motor vehicle. Methods.

Time out for patient safety.

"Time out for patient safety" is a simple and effective tool to improve communication among caregivers based on the use of critical language that has been effective in the perioperative setting, airline industry, and military. In the emergency department it is non threatening and focuses attention on safe patient care. "Time out for patient safety" complements the use of other standardized communication techniques such as SBAR in clinical situations in which immediate intervention is mandatory for patient safety.

Pediatric alternate site of care during the 2009 H1N1 pandemic.

Objectives: This study aimed to describe the design and implementation of an alternate site of care (ASC) for nonurgent pediatric patients with influenza-like illnesses during the 2009 H1N1 pandemic and to evaluate its performance.

Methods: We describe the design and physical implementation of an ASC. Evaluation of the utilization, patient demographics, throughput, safety, family satisfaction, and cost are presented.