Safety and Pediatric Trauma > Ask The Questions
Below are questions regarding children's health issues and pediatric trauma facilities. Consult with the county health commissioner, your local hospitals, pediatricians and family practitioners, and emergency medical technicians.
When conducting the survey, try to obtain an answer for every "yes/no" question. A "no" answer to any question-or a qualified response of "yes, but"-suggests that further research should be done to determine the issue's severity and course of action your club should take to address that issue.
The more "yes" answers, the more active your community is with saftey and pediatric trauma and the less likely your club needs to develop safety and pediatric trauma programs. Of more significance are the "no" answers. These areas identify a need for support.
Child Health Services
Are comprehensive primary care services available to children from all income groups?
Is your community free of measles, polio, diphtheria, or whooping cough?
Are 90 percent of the children over age two fully immunized?
Are the emergency wards of your hospitals used only for true emergencies rather than for routine care?
Do the following services exist?
- Fluoridation
- Nutritional program for women, infants, and children
- Hearing and vision screening and referral for treatment
- Lead detection program
Pediatric Trauma
Are the local emergency medical technicians trained in the differences between severe pediatric trauma and adult trauma?
Do the ambulances and hospital emergency rooms have equipment designed to fit young children?
Is the local hospital adequately prepared to be a primary care hospital for pediatric trauma?
Is there a secondary care hospital for pediatric trauma within 50 miles?
Is there a tertiary care hospital for pediatric trauma that can be reached by helicopter in an hour?
Survey adapted from the Healthy Children community assessment quiz developed by Philip J. Porter, MD.