# Hybrid Effectiveness-Implementation Trial of a Nurse-Led Firearm Safety Intervention in the Pediatric Inpatient Setting

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA · 2024 · $579,651

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
The proposed study aims to reduce firearm-related deaths in children by scaling out an evidence-based secure
firearm storage intervention. The rate of firearm-related deaths increased by 41% from 2018-2021 across all
intents, and firearms are now the leading cause of death for youth ages 1-19. Secure firearm storage is a health
behavior that is critical for reducing unauthorized access to firearms and the risk of suicide, homicide, and
unintentional injuries. S.A.F.E. Firearm is an evidence-based intervention that includes (1) brief, parent-directed
discussion on secure firearm storage using a motivational interviewing and harm reduction approach and (2)
free cable locks offers to all parents during well child visits in pediatric primary care. Importantly, S.A.F.E. Firearm
has potential to save lives beyond primary care, and pediatric inpatient settings are an advantageous context for
S.A.F.E. Firearm implementation. Across the U.S. there are over 250 children's hospitals, approximately two
million children are hospitalized yearly, and parental engagement is a core feature of care. Moreover, hospitals
are essential settings for children disadvantaged by structural determinants and inadequate access to outpatient
services. Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) is a large, nonprofit pediatric health care system with two
freestanding children's hospitals in the greater Philadelphia region. Our team has pilot tested firearm safety
initiatives in the emergency department, select primary care sites, and the pediatric intensive care unit. Through
our formative work, we have identified bedside nurses as vital potential implementers. In Aim 1 of this proposal,
we will adapt S.A.F.E. Firearm for the pediatric inpatient setting and nurse-led delivery using intervention
mapping. Anticipated products are an adapted intervention and optimized bundle of implementation strategies.
In Aim 2 we will conduct a parallel cluster randomized hybrid Type 2 effectiveness-implementation trial across
two CHOP hospitals. Twelve inpatient nursing units will be randomized to receive adapted S.A.F.E. Firearm or
usual care, defined as routine clinical care plus free cable locks available in the hospital safety center. We will
test whether parents exposed to adapted S.A.F.E. Firearm report greater improvements in secure storage
(primary outcome) compared to parents exposed to usual care over one year of active implementation.
Secondary outcomes are additional firearm safety behaviors (e.g., firearm removal). We anticipate 14,400
eligible patient visits across the 12 units. Guided by the RE-AIM framework with equity considerations, we will
examine the effect of the implementation strategy bundle on S.A.F.E. Firearm outcomes in Aim 3. Our primary
implementation outcome is reach (i.e., electronic health record-documented program delivery). Secondary
outcomes include fidelity, acceptability, and maintenance. We will explore implementation strategy mechanisms
via...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10939483
- **Project number:** 1R01NR021259-01
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
- **Principal Investigator:** KATELIN HOSKINS
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $579,651
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-08-01 → 2029-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10939483

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10939483, Hybrid Effectiveness-Implementation Trial of a Nurse-Led Firearm Safety Intervention in the Pediatric Inpatient Setting (1R01NR021259-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-27 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10939483. Licensed CC0.

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