Child Passenger Safety Technician Consultation in the Pediatric Primary Care Setting

• Published in: Clinical pediatrics 2017-09, Vol.56 (10), p.928-933
• Main Authors: Burstein, Dina, Zonfrillo, Mark R., Baird, Janette, Mello, Michael J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Child; Child Restraint Systems - statistics & numerical data; Child restraints; Child, Preschool; Consultation; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Humans; Male; Parents; Passengers; Pediatrics; Primary Health Care - methods; Referral and Consultation - statistics & numerical data; Safety; Traffic accidents & safety
• ISSN: 0009-9228; 1938-2707
• DOI: 10.1177/0009922817706146

Correct use of a child safety seat (CSS) can reduce the risk of fatal motor vehicle crash–related injury by up to 71%; however, misuse rates for CSS are as high as 70%. We recruited 189 caregivers at 2 large suburban pediatric office practices; 94 in the intervention group and 95 in the control group. All participants completed a baseline survey and received a CSS safety brochure. Intervention participants had their CSS installation checked at enrollment by a certified child passenger safety (CPS) technician. Follow-up was conducted 4 months post enrollment. Intervention group participants had a 21.3% reduction in critical misuse at follow-up, whereas control participants critical misuse rate at follow-up was identical to the intervention group at baseline. A consult with a certified CPS technician, at the time of a routine visit to the pediatrician, resulted in a reduction in CSS misuse rates.