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.
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.
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
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.
