The American Academy of Pediatrics firearm safety infographic improves firearm safety guidance: A qualitative study

Promoting Firearm Injury Prevention and Advocacy as Pediatric Surgeons: A Call to Action From the APSA/AAP Advocacy Committee

Firearm injuries have become the leading cause of death among American children. Here we review the scope of the problem, and the pivotal role pediatric surgeons have in preventing pediatric firearm injury. Specific methods for screening and counseling are reviewed, as well as how to overcome barriers. Community and hospital resources as well as organizational efforts are discussed. Finally, a path for surgeon advocacy is outlined as is a call to action for the pediatric surgeon, as we are uniquely poised to identify pediatric patients and deliver timely interventions to reduce the impact of firearm violence. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.

Implementation science for quality improvement in pediatric surgery

Despite the widespread integration of quality improvement principles into pediatric surgical practice, the actual adoption of evidence-based practices continues to be a challenge. The field of pediatric surgery, in particular, has been slow to adopt clinical pathways and protocols that lead to decreased practice variation and improved clinical outcomes. This manuscript provides an introduction to how implementation science principles into quality improvement efforts may optimize uptake of evidence-based practices, ensure success of these endeavors, and help assess the effectiveness of the interventions. Examples of implementation science application to pediatric surgical quality improvement endeavors are explored.

Childhood injury prevention: Where we've been and where we need to be

Injury remains the leading cause of death for children and adolescents in the US, and firearm injury has overtaken motor-vehicle crashes as the leading mechanism in the US since the topic of injury prevention was last reviewed in this journal. The success of injury prevention efforts relies on multidisciplinary collaboration, and pediatric surgeons play a central role as clinicians who provide and coordinate the care for injured children, as trauma program leaders, and as advocates for children's health and safety. This review will provide a concise history of injury prevention in the US and highlights three areas where pediatric surgeons have an opportunity to impart impactful change in their communities that could lead to lower injury rates.