Screening After Pediatric Injury

The American College of Surgeons (ACS) recognizes the importance integrating attention to PTSD symptoms within pediatric trauma (injury) care.

The ACS recommends:

Implementation of a PTSD screening / referral protocol for injured children
Use of evidence-based screening tools integrated in electronic health records
Attending to the emotional consequences of pediatric injury for parents / caregivers as well

Screening for traumatic stress within pediatric injury care

Who: Patients with pediatric injury, their parents / caregivers and siblings.
Equity in care -Universal screening for PTSD symptoms ensures all pediatric patients and their families receive the level of support they need.
When: During initial hospital admission or emergency department visit.
How: Select a brief, evidence-based tool validated for this purpose (see below).

Brief, evidence-based screening tools for acute traumatic stress reactions

Child Trauma Screening Questionnaire (CTSQ)

Purpose & Description: 10 item screening tool. Helps identify recently injured children at higher risk for later PTSD.

Validated for: Screening for risk of persistent traumatic stress in recently injured children age 6 to 16.

Language: English

Who can administer: Any member of the healthcare team. Child can complete as self-report.

Time to administer: 2-3 mins

References: Kenardy et al., 2006.

Get a copy of the measure.

Child-Trauma-Screening-Questionnaire-information.pdf (120.61 KB)

For more information on the CTSQ, contact: Justin Kenardy, University of Queensland.

Acute Stress Checklist for Children (ASC-Kids)

Purpose & Description: Evaluate acute stress reactions in children or teens. Available as 29 item self-report checklist, and as 3- or 6-item brief screening version.

Validated for: Screening for acute traumatic stress reactions in injured children age 8 to 17.

Language: English, Spanish

Who can administer: Any member of the healthcare team; Child can complete as self-report.

Time to administer: 1-2 mins (brief screen versions); 5-10 mins (full version)

References: Kassam-Adams, 2006; Kassam-Adams et al., 2013; Kassam-Adams et al., 2016

Get a copy of the measure.

ASC-Kids English and Spanish with scoring info - all versions.pdf (391 KB)

Acute Stress Disorder Scale (ASDS)

Purpose & Description: Evaluate acute stress reactions in adults or older teens. 19 item self-report checklist.

Validated for: Screening for acute traumatic stress reactions in adults.

Language: English

Who can administer: Any member of the healthcare team; Adult or teen can complete as self-report.

Time to administer: 5-10 mins

References: Bryant et al., 2000

Get a copy of the measure.

NOTE: CPTS has created an adapted version of the ASDS suitable for use with healthcare staff in the COVID19 pandemic.

Get a copy of the adapted ASDS measure.

ASDS adapted for COVID.pdf (121.46 KB)

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Pediatric Medical Traumatic Stress

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Intervention

Trauma-Informed Care

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