TY - JOUR PY - 2021// TI - Investigating the feasibility and acceptability of firearm safety counseling and distribution of safe storage devices in the pediatric emergency department [conference abstract] JO - Injury prevention A1 - Chaudhary, S. A1 - Haber, R. A1 - Portugues, A. A1 - Donches, K. A1 - Faig, W. A1 - Cook, M. A1 - Weiss, A. A1 - Fein, J. SP - A11 EP - A11 VL - 27 IS - Suppl 3 N2 - Injury and Violence Prevention for a Changing World: From Local to Global: SAVIR 2021 Conference Abstracts - 0047 Statement of purpose To assess feasibility and caregiver acceptability of providing firearm safety education and free safe-storage devices in the ED. Methods/Approach Prospective feasibility study of caregivers in a pediatric ED. Participants completed electronic surveys on firearm safe-storage knowledge and practices, and received video-based firearm-safety education. We offered those with firearm access free cable locks and device education. We contacted subjects two weeks post-ED visit to assess firearm safety practices, cable lock use, and acceptability of the intervention. Results We enrolled 307 participants. 43 participants (14%) reported a firearm in the home at some point during the week. 16/43 (37%) of families with guns had never received safe-storage information prior to this ED visit. Among those with handguns, 17% reported not using a safety device and 17% reported storing the gun loaded. 47 (15%) of all participants received one or more cable locks from the study team. 240 (78%) subjects completed the 2-week follow-up survey. 182 (75%) participants had shared the firearm-safety information they received with others, 213 (89%) felt the ED was an appropriate place to discuss firearm safety, and two participants had removed a firearm from their home. Of the 163 participants who had the opportunity to ask about firearms in the homes where their children visit, 111 (68%) did ask, compared to only 61/163 (37%) at time of ED intervention, (p<0.01). Amongst those with guns, 31/43 (89%) reported using a safe storage device for their firearm. Conclusions It is feasible to provide firearm-safety education and cable locks to caretakers in the ED. Caretakers considered these practices acceptable and appropriate. The education and device distribution led to a change in intended and actual practices of firearm safety. Significance Providing firearm safety education in the ED can lead to improved firearm safety practices.
Language: en
LA - en SN - 1353-8047 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/injuryprev-2021-SAVIR.28 ID - ref1 ER -