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March 2025; Volume 14, Issue 3
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Utah Emergency Medical Services for Children
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Pedi Points
Tia Dickson RN, BSN
PCH Trauma RN, Utah EMSC Nurse Clinical Consultant
“For three consecutive years, firearm injuries have been the leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 17 in the United States. Further, firearms are the leading cause of death by suicide in Utah and surrounding states, and deaths by suicide in our regions is higher than the rest of the country.”1
EMS teams are best known for saving lives in emergencies, you are also a big part of the bigger picture when it comes to preventing injuries. You are more than responders—you are educators, advocates, and community leaders. You stand at the front lines of this epidemic. It’s time to address it head on!
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Firearm Injury Epidemic
Katie W. Russell, MD
PCH Trauma Medical Director and Surgical Director, ECMO program
Pediatric Trauma Surgery, Primary Children’s Hospital
Excerpts from February 10th, 2025 PETOS
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Firearm injuries are now the leading cause of death for children in Utah, constituting an epidemic—an unexpected rise in cases. While firearms are a controversial issue, acknowledging and discussing this epidemic should not be.
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Mass shootings, defined as incidents where four or more people are injured or killed, are on the rise and receive significant media attention. However, the issue extends far beyond mass shootings which make up only 1% of all gun violence in America. The map above illustrates firearm-related deaths in the U.S. since January of this year. https://www.gunviolencearchive.org/
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Suicide is the most common form of gun violence in the United States, accounting for nearly 6 in 10 gun deaths
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Firearm homicides of younger children often occurred in multi-victim events and involved intimate partner or family conflict
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Older children more often died in the context of crime and violence
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The shooter playing with a gun was the most common circumstance surrounding unintentional firearm deaths of both younger and older children.
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There’s a common perception that gun violence only occurs in dangerous cities or is tied to gang activity, leading many to think, “It’s not my problem.” The disparities in gun violence affecting people of color and women make it harder for others to relate or see the issue as something that affects everyone.
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Additionally, research from the University of Utah shows that while public interest in these topics spikes during major media-covered events, people are becoming increasingly numb to them.
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Utah is a rural state and statistics are showing that firearm deaths occur more often in rural communities.
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Suicide is epidemic in Utah and our surrounding states.
In 2022 (the most recent national-level data year available, data from the National Center for Health Statistics), the age-adjusted suicide rate for the U.S. was 14.21 per 100,000 population, while the Utah suicide rate was 21.89 per 100,000 population during the same year. 84% of Utah firearms deaths are suicide.
As of 2022, the U.S. states with the highest death rates from suicide were Montana, Alaska, and Wyoming.
From 2012-2021 we saw an 81% increase in gun suicides in minors.
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Research seems to indicate that if we can identify at-risk individuals and create barriers between suicidal thoughts and access to lethal means, we can make significant progress in preventing deaths.
The red area below, known as “the suicide belt,” shows a correlation between weak gun laws and higher firearm suicide rates. See state ratings on gun law strength here: https://giffords.org/lawcenter/resources/scorecard/ This correlation is also evident when looking at pediatric firearm injury fatality rates.
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Utah stats
Gun ownership and use are deeply embedded in Western culture, and addressing the firearm epidemic isn’t about changing that culture. The most effective immediate solution is improving safe storage practices.
Many believe they need their gun “locked and loaded” due to the threat of home invasions. However, comparing home invasion statistics since January with gun deaths shows that our fear is misplaced.
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It’s crucial to spread the message that guns should be stored securely, ideally separate from ammo. In rural communities, we emphasize that this applies to all firearms, not just handguns.
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Initiatives to prevent firearm suicides are underway, the best strategies are:
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Safe/secure Storage: Store firearms securely in locked safes, use trigger locks, or store ammunition separately. Free gun locks are being handed out at Intermountain facilities. EMS providers are encouraged to carry them on ambulances and hand them out at community fairs.
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Remove Access: Temporarily remove firearms from individuals at risk (e.g., during a crisis or mental health struggles).
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Voluntary Risk Protection Laws: Allow an at risk person to add themselves to a “do-not-sell-to” list, temporarily removing access to firearms for individuals at risk of self-harm (e.g. Donna’s law).
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Mental Health Support: Increase access to mental health care and support systems, including hotlines and counseling.
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Public Awareness: Educate about the risks of firearms in homes and provide information on safe storage and mental health resources.
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Approaching motor vehicle crash deaths as a public health crisis led to widespread safety measures like seatbelt laws, improved vehicle design, and public awareness campaigns. These efforts, along with stricter regulations, have significantly reduced crash-related deaths over time.
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The debate over “gun control” is highly polarizing, but viewing gun violence as a public health crisis calls for finding common ground. The American College of Surgeons has proposed the “Common American Narrative” to unite people around solutions. This is not about gun control, this is about firearm injury prevention.
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This epidemic is a healthcare crisis and we need healthcare providers to advocate! Primary Children’s Hospital is now screening all patients (based on age) for mental health, suicide risk, and gun safety.
What can you do?
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Learn the facts
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Tell stories
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Take action:
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Protect your family, secure your guns
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Screen for suicide and gun safety in your agencies and facilities
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Research, contribute to local data, data often equals dollars
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Think Big. work together and start the conversation
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While many may believe that firearms are a divisive topic with limited opportunity for alignment on solutions, research shows common ground exists, especially around the impact of firearm injury on children and teens.
This first-of-its-kind effort, “Agree to Agree,” builds on shared beliefs of Americans to raise awareness of the fact that everyone — both gun owners and non-gun owners — can agree that firearms shouldn’t be the leading cause of death for children and teens in this country.
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Deep Dive:
Prepare for Misuse
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For additional guideline direction check out the UPTN website or the new app, “Utah PTN” on android and apple devices.
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CME credit for this issue
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Training officers may review the topic above as a team training AND perform a simulation/skills check as directed. Once complete, send a roster of participants to Utah.PETOS@gmail.com and those listed will be issued 1-hour of CME credit from the Bureau of EMS, DPS.
Individuals who don’t have a training officer can get CME credit on their own by viewing a PETOS presentation in our archives and completing the instructions on the webpage.
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Skills checking
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Review the newsletter content with your team.
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Watch all video links above.
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Practice your agency policy for penetrating injury using your own equipment
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News from Primary Children’s Hospital
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Process change – how can you get your face sheets for billing?
Primary Children’s has revised the process for distributing face sheets to EMS crews. Recognizing the importance of this information for billing, they aim to ensure the new process does not hinder your ability to receive compensation.
The following SBAR is from the PCH ED Nurse Manager Cydney Greenhalgh.
Situation: EMS and Life flight crews need face sheets to enable them to bill for services. We can no longer print these out until information has been verified by registration.
Background: We have given these out to crews for many years, but there have been issues with the validity of information, (insurance and demographics) that were listed on the face sheets. This has caused problems with billing, and we have been told by compliance and legal that the information we give out to the agencies needs to be verified. The corporation asked us to no longer print face sheets for EMS crews.
Assessment: EMS crews have not been happy with the change as they have to wait in line for registration to be able to get this information. They also don’t fully understand why this change has taken place.
Recommendation: If the unit clerk and/or charge nurse are busy and cannot get information to the crew we will ask them to go to registration. If they are available, there will be a printed-out instruction sheet at the desk by the HUC’s and charge nurses. We will write the patient’s FIN number on the sheet and give this to the crews. They need this paper so they can have the follow-up email and fax number so they can eventually get a face sheet by contacting the Health Information Management (HIM) Department later.
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On Topic
EMSC Pulse
National EMSC has a newsletter filled with fantastic pediatric information, resources, and links. Check it out!
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Autism awareness training (agency and hospital)
If your agency is interested in the John Wilson Autism training or in receiving the free autism kits, contact Jeff Wilson, PM @jeffwilson122615@gmail.com.
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PECC development
For Utah hospital and EMS Agency PECCs
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For Hospital PECCs
NPRP: Next national assessment coming in 2026!
Work is underway to prepare for the launch of the next National Pediatric Readiness Project (NPRP) Assessment, currently slated for 2026. The NPRP helps emergency departments (EDs) to understand and improve their ability to deliver high-quality care for children, also known as being “Pediatric Ready.” The national assessment is based on a joint policy statement, which is currently being reviewed and updated by experts within key NPRP partner organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Emergency Physicians, the American College of Surgeons Committee of Trauma, and the Emergency Nurses Association. The revised policy statement and a new technical report are anticipated for publication this summer, after which the NPRP toolkit will also undergo updates.
EDs can prepare now for the 2026 national data collection period by completing the current NPRP open assessment and receiving an updated readiness score. Visit www.pedsready.org to participate. Be sure to print or save your gap report and share with your leadership to support your EDs’ internal quality improvement efforts.
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For All PECCS
Come to the Southern PECC Workshop, registration now open
EMS and Hospital PECCs are encouraged to attend a PECC workshop yearly and our next one is happening in St. George May 8th, 2025. Join your EMSC staff and pediatric experts from PCH. Get to know other PECCs, receive education and resources that will help in your role. Register below.
EMS providers and PECCs can attend Zero Fatalities for free!
See the scholarship registration code below and come participate in one of the most engaging conferences of the year.
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Understanding the PECC role
For hospital PECCs
For EMS PECCs
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PECC quarterly meeting
You will receive an invitation with the link through email. If you are a PECC and don’t receive this invitation, contact our program manager, Jared Wright jaredwright@utah.gov.
When?
Tuesday, May 20th, 2024, 10:00 AM
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Southern PECC workshop
PECCs are encouraged to attend an in-person PECC workshop each year to receive up-to-date pediatric training, direction for your PECC role, and to participate in networking with other PECCs statewide. These workshops are free to designated hospital and agency PECCs. We will offer one in the northern part of Utah and one in the southern part each year.
When?
May 8th – followed by a pediatric skills workshop for all EMS on the 9th
Where?
St. George Regional Hospital, St. George, Utah
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Pediatric education from Utah EMSC
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Pediatric Emergency and Trauma Outreach Series (PETOS)
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PETOS (pediatric emergency and trauma outreach series)
This lecture provides 1 free CME credit from the Office of Emergency Medical Services, DPS for EMTs and Paramedics. The lectures are presented by physicians and pediatric experts from Primary Children’s Hospital. The format is informal; inviting questions and discussion.
Upcoming topics
Mar 10th, 2025 – Pediatric Interactions, Distractions and Holds with Sheri Bothell, CCLS
Apr 14th, 2025 – ETCO2 with Stephanie Spanos, MD
02:00 PM Mountain Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/98193757707?pwd=UzdNeXppQUdtZ01KZUp2UFlzRk9vdz09
Meeting ID: 981 9375 7707
Password: EmscPCH
Archived presentations can be viewed and also qualify for CME credits. You can access them at https://intermountainhealthcare.org/for-professionals/PETOS.
To obtain a completion certificate—follow the instructions on the website
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Emergency Pediatric Course – NAEMT
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Zero Fatalities Safety Summit
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**Scholarships are available for EMS with the code ZFEMS25 CME will be provided for EMS providers.
ZeroFatalities.com/summit for registration and conference details.
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Other pediatric education for all
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University of Utah pediatrics ECHO 2025
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The Pediatrics ECHO is back! For those new to Pediatrics ECHO, you can earn CME for participating in a case-based learning session with experts in a variety of pediatric topics.
You can view previous session recordings and other programs on the Project ECHO page. CME is available for participation in these classes.
More Information
Note the University has a new EMS education website.
When? Wednesdays 12 – 1 pm (MT)
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University of Utah injury prevention learning series
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University of Utah’s EMS trauma grand rounds
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Hospital-focused pediatric education
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Primary Children’s pediatric grand rounds
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Offered every Thursday, September-May
Offering both RN and MD CME
The pediatric grand rounds weekly lecture series covers cutting-edge research and practical clinical applications, for hospital and community-based pediatricians, registered nurses, and other physicians and practitioners who care for children of any age.
Every Thursday, 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. from September through May in the 3rd Floor Auditorium at Primary Children’s Hospital and at Lehi a broadcast will be held in the education center (1st floor in rooms 1 & 2).The lectures are also broadcast live to locations throughout Utah and nationwide. Click on this link to view the broadcast: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNQP-M_3-PdPDvnICr2Fjpg
Connect live
Click here for the PGR PCH YouTube channel to find the live broadcast. Archives (without continuing education credit) will be posted here within 1 week of the broadcast.
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Emergency Medical Services for Children Utah, Bureau of EMS, Department of Public Safety
The Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC) Program aims to ensure emergency medical care for the ill and injured child or adolescent is well integrated into an emergency medical service system.
Email: tdickson@utah.gov
Website: https://ems.utah.gov/
Phone: (801) 707-3763
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