Discharge Policies for Newborns and Children

Project Characteristics Program Areas Easy to replicate; Injury Prevention Child Passenger Safety Targeted Audience Jurisdiction Hospital staff and pediatricians State; Easy to replicate at local level

Goals

• Raise issue of child passenger safety with hospital staff, pediatricians and pediatrics staff.

Strategies

Letters were sent to determine discharge policies for newborns and children in hospitals. The letter also contained information about National Standardized Child Passenger Safety Training. Follow-up calls were made to those who did not respond. Hospitals' Directors of Volunteer Services, who manage individuals who escort patients and parents to vehicles following discharge, were also contacted. If a hospital does not have a formal discharge policy, it is referred to NHTSA and the American Academy of Pediatrics as resources for developing a policy.

Results

• The 25% response rate exceeded the expected response rate.
• Arrangements are being made to provide child passenger safety technician training to hospitals expressing an interest.