@article{ref1,
title="Firearm injuries in children: a missed opportunity for firearm safety education",
journal="Injury prevention",
year="2021",
author="Beres, Alana L. and Salcedo, Edgardo S. and McFadden, Nikia R. and Stokes, Sarah C.",
volume="ePub",
number="ePub",
pages="ePub-ePub",
abstract="BACKGROUND: Surgeons frequently care for children who have sustained gunshot wounds (GSWs). However, firearm safety education is not a focus in general surgery  training. We hypothesised that firearm safety discussions do not routinely take  place when children present to a trauma centre with a GSW. <br><br>METHOD: A retrospective  review of patients <18 years presenting with GSWs to a level 1 paediatric trauma  centre from 2009 to 2019 was performed. The primary outcome was discussion of  firearm safety with the patient or family. The secondary outcome was notification of  child protective services (CPS). <br><br>RESULTS: A total of 226 patients with GSWs were  identified, 22% were unintentional and 63% were assault. Firearm safety discussions  took place in 10 cases (4.4%). Firearm safety discussions were more likely to occur  after unintentional injuries compared with other mechanisms (16.0% vs 1.3%,  p<0.001). CPS was contacted in 29 cases (13%). CPS notification was more likely for  unintentional injuries compared with other mechanisms (40% vs 3.9%, p<0.001) and for  younger patients (7 years vs 15 years, p<0.001). <br><br>CONCLUSION: At a paediatric trauma  centre, firearm safety discussions occurred in 4.4% of cases of children presenting  with a GSW. There is a significant room for improvement in providing safety  education interventions.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1353-8047",
doi="10.1136/injuryprev-2020-044051",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/injuryprev-2020-044051"
}