The Healthcare Provider’s Role in Child Passenger Safety PA Chapter American Academy of Pediatrics Traffic Injury Prevention Project www.pakidstravelsafe.org 1-800 CAR BELT Goals of Program Explain the Pennsylvania laws concerning child passenger safety. Describe “best practice” concerning child safety seats. List key educational messages regarding proper use of child restraints. www.pakidstravelsafe.org 1-800 CAR BELT Child Passenger Safety Law All drivers are responsible for securing children in the appropriate child restraint system. All children from birth up to age 4 must be secured in an approved child safety seat anywhere in the vehicle. Violators of this primary law are subject to a fine of $75.00 plus Court Costs, EMS, MCARE, and Administrative Fees. Total cost $161.00 All children age 4 up to age 8 must be secured in a seat belt system and appropriate child booster seat anywhere in the vehicle. Violators of this primary law are subject to a fine of $75.00 plus Court Costs EMS, MCARE and Administrative Fees. Total cost $161.00 All children age 8 up to age 18 must be secured in a seat belt system anywhere in the vehicle. Violators of this primary law are subject to a $10 fine plus EMS, MCARE, and Administrative Fees. Total cost $60.00 According to the law (§ 4581. Restraint systems)—subsection Occupant Standards A child passenger restraint system and a child booster seat shall be used as designated by the manufacturer of the system in motor vehicles equipped with seat safety belts and shall meet the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard. Children between the ages of 8 and 18: Must be properly restrained in a vehicle seat belt system. www.pakidstravelsafe.org 1-800 CAR BELT Hospitals Role in CPS PA Vehicle Code Section 4583 (a) Availability of restraint devices – the hospital, in conjunction with the attending physician, shall provide the parents of any newborn child with any information regarding the availability of loaner or rental programs for child restraint devices that may be available in the community where the child is born. (b) Instruction and education programs –The department shall provide instructional and educational program materials through all current public information channels and to all relevant State and Federally funded, community based programs for maximum distribution of information about this child passenger protection law. www.pakidstravelsafe.org 1-800 CAR BELT Why Are We Here? Traffic crashes are still the leading cause of unintentional deaths and severe injuries in the United States. Only diseases like cancer, heart disease, and stroke kill more people than motor vehicle crashes. Every day in the United States, an average of 4 children age 14 and younger were killed and 490 were injured in motor vehicle crashes during 2009. www.pakidstravelsafe.org 1-800 CAR BELT NHTSA Statistics / CRS Use NHTSA 2009 Survey Restraint use for children age 1 to 3 years increased from 92 % in 2008 to 96 % in 2009 Restraint use for all children under age 13 remained unchanged at 89% Note: Restraint use for all children from birth to 7 years old stood at 88 percent in 2009 as compared to 87 percent in 2008 from the 2009 National Occupant Protection Use Survey (NOPUS) 41 percent of 4 to 7 year-old children ride in booster seats Virtually unchanged from the prior year. . www.pakidstravelsafe.org 1-800 CAR BELT 2010 PA Crash Facts CRS As shown below (2006-2010 crashes involving children under age four), the % of deaths and injuries (within restraint type by row) were lower when restraints were used. From 2006-2010, 82% of the children under age four who were involved in crashes and restrained in a child seat sustained no injury. www.pakidstravelsafe.org 1-800 CAR BELT 2009 PA Child Traffic Fatalities Age 14 and under by Age Groups <1 - 2 1 - 3 years - 3 4 - 7 years - 12 8 - 14 years -15 Total Child Traffic Fatalities 14 & under = 32 www.pakidstravelsafe.org 1-800 CAR BELT Fatalities & Injuries Fatalities are just the tip of the iceberg: For every 1 death there are: 45 injuries requiring hospitalization and 1100 other injuries requiring medical care. www.pakidstravelsafe.org 1-800 CAR BELT Three Collisions in a Crash 1st: Vehicle collision 2nd: Human collision 3rd: Internal collision 1st 2nd www.pakidstravelsafe.org 3rd 1-800 CAR BELT Child Restraint Effectiveness 71% effective in reducing deaths for infants. 54% for 1 to 4 year olds. Reduces the need for hospitalization by 69%. www.pakidstravelsafe.org 1-800 CAR BELT 5 Ways Restraints Prevent Injury 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Prevents ejection. Contacts the strongest parts of the body. Spread forces over a wide area of the body. Helps the body to “ride down” the crash. Protects the head and spinal cord. www.pakidstravelsafe.org 1-800 CAR BELT NEW AAP Guidelines for Car Seat Use All infants and toddlers should ride in a rear facing car safety seat until they are 2 years of age or until they reach the highest weight or height allowed by their car seat's manufacturer. All children 2 years or older, or those who have outgrown the rear facing weight or height limit for their car safety seat, should use a forward facing car safety seat with a harness for as long as possible, up to the highest weight or height allowed by their car safety seat's manufacturer. All children whose weight or height is above the forward facing limit for their car safety seat should use a belt positioning booster seat until the vehicle seat belt fits properly, typically when they have reached 4 ft 9 inches in height and are between 8 & 12 years old. When children are old enough and large enough to use the vehicle seat belt alone, they should use a lap and shoulder belt. All children younger than 13 should be restrained in the rear seat of the vehicle. www.pakidstravelsafe.org 1-800 CAR BELT AAP Policy Released March, 2011 Algorithm www.pakidstravelsafe.org 1-800 CAR BELT NHTSA New Guidelines www.pakidstravelsafe.org 1-800 CAR BELT Selecting the Correct Child Restraint Correct selection is based on the child’s: Age Weight Height Physical Development Behavioral Needs www.pakidstravelsafe.org 1-800 CAR BELT Rear Facing Position “All infants and toddlers should ride in a Rear Facing Car Safety Seat until they are 2 years of age or until they reach the highest weight or height allowed by their car safety seat’s manufacturer.” www.pakidstravelsafe.org 1-800 CAR BELT Rear Facing Only (Infant Seat) Rear facing ONLY. Birth/4-5 pounds to 20 – 22 (most models) or 30/35 pounds. When the head is 1” below top of shell. Chicco Key Fit 4-30lbs with newborn/preemie insert www.pakidstravelsafe.org 1-800 CAR BELT Rear Facing Talking Points Never place a rear facing car seat in front of an active passenger side air bag (front seat). Until age 2, children are at least 75% safer rear-facing than forward-facing. Article Injury Prevention 2007; 13: 398-402 Car Safety Seats for children: rear facing for best protection Children in the second year of life (12-24 mos.) are over 5 times less likely to be seriously injured or die in a crash if riding rear facing. Article Injury Prevention 2007; 13: 398-402 Follow manufacturers instructions for using and installing car seat at the appropriate angle. www.pakidstravelsafe.org 1-800 CAR BELT Rear Facing & Forward Facing Crash Tests Rear Facing video Forward Facing video www.pakidstravelsafe.org 1-800 CAR BELT Development of the neck vertebrae www.pakidstravelsafe.org 1-800 CAR BELT Rear Facing Only (Infant Seat) Supports entire head, neck & back, reducing stress to neck and spine in a crash. May have a 5-point or Vharness. Some have a detachable base. Check instructions for angle and angel indicator www.pakidstravelsafe.org 1-800 CAR BELT Rear Facing Convertible Rear facing until 20 to 30/45 lbs and a minimum of one year old. Use in a semi-reclined position. Tray not appropriate for premature or small infant. Five Point Harness Tray Shield www.pakidstravelsafe.org 1-800 CAR BELT Convertible Seats RF Longer Nearly every convertible seat on the market has a 30/35lbs rear facing max. weight limit. These are only three examples of convertible seats that can be used rear-facing to 40 or 45lbs Graco My Ride 65 Safety Surround 40lbs RF Diono Radian 100, 120 & RXT 40 & 45lbs RF models www.pakidstravelsafe.org Safety First Complete Air 40lbs RF 1-800 CAR BELT Securing Child In Rear Facing Seats Back & bottom flat into CRS. Rolled cloth at crotch strap, if necessary. Rolled blankets at sides for positioning. Harness at or below the shoulders. Retainer clip at armpit level. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions. www.pakidstravelsafe.org 1-800 CAR BELT AAP Strengthens Long Standing Advice The AAP has strengthened its advice that CRs and other sitting devices are not recommended for routine sleep for infants They have included the warning that infants younger than 4 months are particularly at risk in these seating environments because they “might assume positions that can create risk of suffocation or airway obstruction.” www.pakidstravelsafe.org 1-800 CAR BELT Pinch Test Test at child’s shoulder Try to pinch webbing up and down Your fingers should slide off Harness straps are too loose www.pakidstravelsafe.org 1-800 CAR BELT Rear-Facing Back Angle 30° 45° Level with the Ground Back is primary restraint Balance with comfort and keeping airway open Range - 30o to 45o according to manufacturer’s instructions Newborns more reclined More upright as child grows Car bed option for special needs www.pakidstravelsafe.org 1-800 CAR BELT Forward Facing Position “All children 2 years or older, or those younger than 2 who have outgrown the rear facing weight or height limit of their car safety seat should use a Forward Facing Car Safety Seat with a harness for as long as possible, up to the highest weight or height allowed by their car safety seat’s manufacturer.” www.pakidstravelsafe.org 1-800 CAR BELT Forward Facing Convertible “Turn Around Time” Can forward face (after minimum of 1 year and 20 lbs.), longer if seat allows up to 3035/45 lbs. Starting at 18-24 months in age. Most seats have harnesses that go up to 40lbs. Some car seats have harnesses up to 65 lbs. Adjust recline angle to upright Seat in upright or semi-upright position. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions. www.pakidstravelsafe.org 1-800 CAR BELT Forward Facing Convertible Seat Harness: 5-Point (recommended) Tray Shield Harness in the reinforced slots at or above shoulders. Generally, must use top slots when forward facing. www.pakidstravelsafe.org 1-800 CAR BELT Forward Facing Only Seats Forward facing for children over 1 year and 20 to 40-65 lbs. Some HW models may even go to 80 lbs. (Seat shown) Some can ONLY be used with the harness. Some have a removable harness. Britax Regent FF min 1yr. 22lbs to 80lbs. 53” or less www.pakidstravelsafe.org 1-800 CAR BELT Forward Facing Combination Seats Combination child safety seat / boosters: Forward facing only. Most have a 40 pound weight limit for the internal harness. Some car seats may accommodate higher weights, 50-65lbs. Must remove the harness and use with lap and shoulder belt for the BPB when reach max. harness weight or height. Combination Harness/BPB Harness to 70lbs and a booster to 120lbs. www.pakidstravelsafe.org 1-800 CAR BELT Harness Rules: Forward 1. Slots: Convertible Seats: Top slot or above the reinforcement bar. Forward Facing Only Seats: First level at or above the shoulders. 2. Harness Retainer Clip: Armpit or Mid-chest level. 3. Tightness: SNUG Should not be able to pinch any slack in the harness. www.pakidstravelsafe.org 1-800 CAR BELT Four Elements to Achieve a Correct Installation 1. 2. Direction – Rear facing vs forward facing. Location in the vehicle. Children are 37% less likely to die when seated in a back seat. Seat selection is based on the needs of all passengers. 3. Correct belt path – Follow the manufacturer’s instructions. 4. Tight Installation. www.pakidstravelsafe.org 1-800 CAR BELT LATCH Lower Anchors and Tethers For Children www.pakidstravelsafe.org 1-800 CAR BELT LATCH Lower Anchor Locations in Vehicles www.pakidstravelsafe.org 1-800 CAR BELT TETHERS www.pakidstravelsafe.org 1-800 CAR BELT Why Use a Tether Strap? (Credit: Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children – 2005, Safe Ride News Publications) Tether strap can improve performance of CR when its use is recommended by the manufacturer. Reduces the forward movement and rotation of the seat Adds additional stability to CR installation www.pakidstravelsafe.org 1-800 CAR BELT Belt-Positioning Booster “All children whose weight or height is above the forward-facing limit for their car safety seat should use a BeltPositioning Booster Seat until the vehicle seat belt fits properly, typically when they have reached 4 feet 9 inches in height and are between 8 and 12 years of age.” www.pakidstravelsafe.org 1-800 CAR BELT Booster Seats Provide a transition from CR with harness to a vehicle lap and shoulder belt. Minimum weight ranges: 30-40 lbs. Backless booster Maximum weight ranges: 60-120 lbs. Max. height limits vary High back booster www.pakidstravelsafe.org 1-800 CAR BELT Why a Booster Seat? 1. Protects children too large for a CR with harness but too small for a simple seat belt. 2. Increases crash protection from injuries Incorrect belt fit because there is no booster seat www.pakidstravelsafe.org Correct belt fit with belt-positioning booster 1-800 CAR BELT Basic Booster Seat Reminders WARNING: Belt-positioning booster seats can only be used with lap and shoulder combination safety belts. Belt-positioning booster seats must NEVER be used with just a lap belt. Courtesy Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Play Video www.pakidstravelsafe.org 1-800 CAR BELT Securing Children In Booster Seats Requires Lap & Shoulder belt. BPB fits flat on vehicle seat between safety belt anchors. Lap belt positioned low across top of thighs and shoulder belt across chest. Knees bend comfortably. Child has appropriate head restraint. www.pakidstravelsafe.org 1-800 CAR BELT Shoulder belt positioners Seat Belt Syndrome Spinal cord or soft tissue damage due to: -Improper placement of lap belt over the abdomen. -Lap belt that rides up onto abdomen. www.pakidstravelsafe.org 1-800 CAR BELT Lap and Shoulder Belts “When children are old enough and large enough to use the vehicle seat belt alone, they should always use Lap and Shoulder Seat Belts for optimal protection.” www.pakidstravelsafe.org 1-800 CAR BELT Seat Belts 4. Shoulder belt crosses center collar bone and center chest. 1. Sit all the way back. 3. Lap belt fits low on hips, touching thighs. 2. Knees bend comfortably at the edge of the seat. 5. Must be able to stay for the entire trip. www.pakidstravelsafe.org 1-800 CAR BELT Proper Belt Fit Prevents… Courtesy Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia www.pakidstravelsafe.org 1-800 CAR BELT CHILD PASSENGER SAFETY FOR SPECIAL NEEDS www.pakidstravelsafe.org 1-800 CAR BELT AAP Policy Statement Status Safe Transportation of Newborns at Hospital Discharge By AAP Committee on Injury, Violence, and Poison Prevention Published in 1999 Reaffirmed in 2003, 2006 Safe Transportation of Premature and Low Birth Weight Infants – now a Clinical Report By AAP Committee on Injury, Violence, and Poison Prevention and Committee on Fetus and Newborn Published in 1996 Released May 2009 Selecting and Using the Most Appropriate Car Safety Seats for Growing Children: Guidelines for Counseling Parents By AAP Committee on Injury, Violence, and Poison Prevention Published in 2002 Under revision – completion in 2010? www.pakidstravelsafe.org 1-800 CAR BELT CRS For Small Infants Infant Seats that start at birth: Combi Shuttle: birth to 33lbs & 33” w/ base new model Combi Navette: birth to 22lbs seated height 18”or less (inst. sales) Orbit G2 Infant Car Seat: up to 22 lbs / 29” Infant seats with a 3 to 4-pound minimum include: Aprica A30 4-30lbs Britax Chaperone: 4-30 lbs / 32” Chicco Key Fit & Key Fit 30: 4-22 lbs / 30” 4-30 lbs 30” Cybex Anton: 4-32 lbs / 30” Safety First On Board 35 Air Evenflo Embrace 35: 4-35 lbs Evenflo Secure Ride 35 4-35lbs (in process changing to 4lbs.) Graco new Snug Ride 35 4-35 lbs mia Moda Certo: 4 to 22 lbs / 29” Safety First Comfy Carry Elite 4-22lbs Safety First On Board 35 Air 4-35 lbs. / 32” Summer Prodigy Infant Seat 4-32 /32” www.pakidstravelsafe.org 1-800 CAR BELT CRS For Small Infants Convertible seats that start at 3 or 4lbs: Combi Coccoro: RF 3-33 lbs (FF 20-40lbs) Dorel Maxi Cosi Pria 70 RF 4-40 lbs (FF22-70lbs) Graco Classic Ride 50 4 - 40 lbs (FF 20-50lbs) Graco My Ride 65 Safety Surround RF 4–40 (FF 20-65) Coming Soon: Feb. 2012 Graco My Size 65 4-40lbs www.pakidstravelsafe.org 1-800 CAR BELT AAP Clinical Report Replaced the 1996 policy statement Safe Transportation of Premature and Low Birth Weight Infants Reviewed by AAP Board of Directors What’s new? More evidence More specific clinical guidance Length of time 90 -120 min. or length of travel whichever is longer Retest in car bed if failed tolerance test and car bed is being considered Follow up should be addressed New section on research implications www.pakidstravelsafe.org 1-800 CAR BELT Summary AAP Clinical Report extend the “observation period” of the child in his/her child restraint prior to discharge of low birth weight or premature infants to 90-120 minutes, or the length of travel home, whichever is the longest. The report also recommends that a trained staff member perform this observation. provide interventions such as a car bed, supplemental oxygen, continued hospitalization, and further medical assessment if the child fails the observation period. provide additional observation periods after the child is discharged and prior to moving the infant from a car bed to a rear-facing infant restraint. limit the time preemies and low birth weight infants spend in child restraints to essential travel. www.pakidstravelsafe.org 1-800 CAR BELT Special Conditions High Risk Infants: Any infant<37 weeks gestation, low birth weight or with any medical condition that places the child at risk for apnea, bradycardia or oxygen desaturation. These infants must undergo a period of observation to assure safety in the semi-reclined CRS prior to discharge. This is necessary regardless of where the baby is housed in the hospital (NICU, NB nursery, Pediatric Floor). www.pakidstravelsafe.org 1-800 CAR BELT Special Conditions Other “High Risk” medical conditions: Children with developmental delays. Children with neuromuscular conditions. Children with chronic lung disease or oxygen requirement. Children with severe GERD or other GI conditions. www.pakidstravelsafe.org 1-800 CAR BELT Review Tolerance Testing Procedures Perform an observation period in the CRS to be used. Position infant in seat properly for optimum restraint use Maintain the proper recline angle approved for car seat use (no more than 45o) during the monitoring. May stabilize infant with lateral rolls on the side to maintain position and a crotch roll to prevent submarining. Monitoring should be done within 1- 7 days prior to discharge. Monitoring should be done for a minimum of 90 to 120 minutes or the expected travel time, whichever is longer. Any infant who develops apnea, bradycardia or oxygen desaturation, as defined by testing guidelines, during the observation has failed the testing. www.pakidstravelsafe.org 1-800 CAR BELT Recommendations when failed testing: Consider further medical evaluation and intervention. Consider continued hospitalization until stable. Consider supplemental oxygen. Consider retesting in a car bed appropriate for the weight and size of the infant. Parents should be counseled to avoid other upright positioning devices including swings, infant seats and infant carriers. If the infant is discharged in a car bed, the physician should consider scheduling a retest at a later time to assess the infant’s readiness to graduate to standard child restraint and ride in the rearfacing semi-upright position. www.pakidstravelsafe.org 1-800 CAR BELT Car Seat/Car Bed Challenge Codes The AAP has been successful in getting Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes assigned to car seat car bed challenge test. Effective 1-1-12 94780: Car seat/bed testing for airway integrity, neonate, with continual nursing* observation and continuous pulse oximetry, hear rate and respiratory rate, with interpretation and report; 60 minutes 94781: Each additional full 30 minutes of the procedure described in code 94780 AAP Clinical Report Recommends 90-120 minutes or the length of the travel time home www.pakidstravelsafe.org 1-800 CAR BELT Angel Guard Angel Ride Car Bed < 9 pounds < 20” Supine Right-side positioning or prone only if medically necessary Premature or low birth weight infants www.pakidstravelsafe.org 1-800 CAR BELT www.pakidstravelsafe.org 1-800 CAR BELT Pediatrician’s Role in Child Passenger Safety First interaction: prenatal visit Second interaction: hospital discharge Third interaction: first office check-up www.pakidstravelsafe.org 1-800 CAR BELT When You Only Have 5 Minutes in the Office www.pakidstravelsafe.org 1-800 CAR BELT What you can you do in the office? Children that have outgrown or too small for their seat Non-regulated products Harness loose, twisted , retainer clip too low - not at armpit level Focus on best practice and what you can see that is not correct. www.pakidstravelsafe.org 1-800 CAR BELT Healthcare Provider’s Role in Child Passenger Safety Parents Need To Know: Always read Manufacturer’s instructions Infant seats for newborns better fit Don’t use non-regulated products Second hand seats not recommended Life span of car seat / seat expirations Back seat is safest Enough safe seating for multiple children Some retail seats can be used for Special Needs and some Medical Car Seats can be Prescribed. www.pakidstravelsafe.org 1-800 CAR BELT Child Passenger Safety Update Review of what’s new: LATCH various designs Lap and shoulder belts in all positions Harness Adjustment designs Ease of Use Ratings Higher weight seats -call PA TIPP for updated list /AAP Shopping Guide online www.pakidstravelsafe.org RF: 5lbs to 40lbs FF: 20lbs to 65lbs BPB: 40lbs to 100lbs 1-800 CAR BELT New Features Anti rebound bar Side Impact Protection Lock Offs Car Seats that give you feedback? www.pakidstravelsafe.org 1-800 CAR BELT NHTSA Ease-of-Use 5-Star Ratings: NHTSA uses a five-star rating system to help consumers evaluate the four basic category ratings: = Excellent features on this child restraint for this category. = Above average features on this child restraint for this category. = Average features on this child restraint for this category. = Below average features on this child restraint for this category. = Poor features on this child restraint for this category. N/A www.nhtsa.dot.gov = Does not contain any features that require a rating. www.pakidstravelsafe.org 1-800 CAR BELT NHTSA website has info. sheets in English and Spanish that you can use: Trunk Entrapment Power Windows Vehicle Rollaway Seat Belt Entanglement Hyperthermia & Heatstroke Backover www.pakidstravelsafe.org 1-800 CAR BELT Healthcare Provider’s Role in Child Passenger Safety Helpful hints: Keeping children buckled Testing limits Suggestions www.pakidstravelsafe.org 1-800 CAR BELT Healthcare Provider’s Role in Child Passenger Safety Be a resource Provide current materials Certified CPS technician on staff Staff Trainings Child safety seat clinics www.pakidstravelsafe.org 1-800 CAR BELT Resources PA TIPP PA Traffic Injury Prevention Project 1-800-CAR BELT www.pakidstravelsafe.org www.paaap.org www.nhtsa.dot.gov THANK YOU www.pakidstravelsafe.org 1-800 CAR BELT www.pakidstravelsafe.org 1-800 CAR BELT PA Chapter American Academy of Pediatrics Traffic Injury Prevention Project Rose Tree Corporate Center II 1400 N. Providence Road Suite 3007 Media, PA 19063-2043 1-800-CAR-BELT www.pakidstravelsafe.org www.pakidstravelsafe.org 1-800 CAR BELT