The nurses at CCHMC applied the upstream approach by initiating community-based prevention programs instead of only treating injuries after they occurred. They developed a child passenger safety program at 46 community fitting stations to help low-income families with car seat installation, initiated a bike safety program, held community health fairs, and led the Safe Kids Coalition. Their work was collaborative, involving public health, fire, and police departments in community settings.

The upstream approach focuses on preventing injuries before they happen by addressing their causes in the community. The CCHMC nurses moved beyond the emergency department and worked at fitting stations located in fire stations and health departments, making it easier for parents to get help with correct car seat installation. They also engaged in bike safety and community education, aiming to reduce the risk of injury at the population level rather than waiting for victims to arrive downstream.

Key points

Trauma nurses at CCHMC created an injury prevention program rather than only caring for injured children.
They provided a child passenger safety program at 46 community fitting stations, including fire stations and health departments.
The program targeted low-income families and helped with car seat installation.
Nurses also started a bike safety program, hosted community health fairs, and joined the Safe Kids Coalition.
The initiative used a collaborative, upstream approach with nurses, public health, fire, and police departments working together.

How did nurses at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center apply the upstream approach to injury prevention?

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