Pediatric Education and Advocacy Kit (PEAK): Blunt Head Trauma

Excellence in Prehospital Injury Care (EPIC) for Kids is a statewide Arizona partnership that brings together fire departments, ground and air EMS agencies, the University of Arizona, and the Arizona Department of Health Services to improve prehospital trauma care for pediatric patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). By fully implementing national EMS TBI guidelines, EPIC for Kids aims to improve survival and neurologic outcomes across urban, suburban, and rural EMS systems.

Key management and care strategies to ensure optimal resuscitation of pediatric traumatic brain injury patients.

This resource synthesizes national guidelines and expert recommendations to provide clear, evidence-based guidance on pediatric trauma imaging best practices. Pages 3 and 4 help clinicians make informed imaging decisions that support timely and appropriate care for pediatric patients with blunt head trauma. best practices

This resource helps clinicians quickly assess pediatric GCS using age-appropriate cues for both nonverbal and verbal children, making neurologic assessment clearer across developmental stages. Accurate pediatric GCS scoring is essential in head trauma to determine severity, guide imaging and treatment decisions, and monitor for early neurologic deterioration.

SimBox ED features low-fidelity simulation that allows your teams to engage in the first 5-10 minutes of managing a pediatric patient with concern for severe head injury.

You will use your own equipment and resources in your clinical environment or a virtual environment to practice non-technical skills.

In this episode, Dr. Joelle Donofrio-Odmann and Dr. Joseph Finney are joined by Dr. Joshua Gaither, EMS Fellowship Director and Medical Director for Tucson Fire Department, and Dr. Daniel Gonda, Director of Epilepsy Surgery at Rady Children's Hospital-San Diego and Assistant Clinical Professor of Neurosurgery at UC San Diego School of Medicine to explore critical considerations for pediatric head and cervical spine imaging. With traumatic brain injury (TBI) as a leading cause of death among children, this episode provides essential insights for managing pediatric patients with TBI or cervical spine injuries.

This podcast dives into the high-stakes reality of pediatric head injuries, where most kids look well, but some harbor subtle risks with lasting consequences. Expert guests, Dr. Sarah Reid and Dr. Roger Zemek, unpack cutting-edge evidence, decision tools like PECARN and CRASH2, the evolving role of Fast MRI, and practical strategies to identify and care for children at risk for prolonged recovery and ongoing symptoms.

CDC HEADS UP is a comprehensive, trusted collection of trainings, videos, fact sheets, and educational materials designed to raise awareness and improve recognition of concussion. Used by millions, it supports healthcare providers, school and athletic professionals, patients, and families with practical tools to prevent, diagnose, and manage concussions across settings.

Dr. Christina Master joins host Dr. Edith Bracho-Sanchez to talk about concussions. They look at what causes them, how they are diagnosed, and what the latest science tells us kids need to do to recover.

This concussion signs and symptoms checklist provides a structured way to observe, monitor, and document symptoms following a head injury. It supports early recognition of concerning signs, timely referral to a healthcare professional, and clear communication during evaluation and follow-up.

This sheet has information to help protect your children or teens from concussion or other serious brain injury. Use this information at your children’s or teens’ games and practices to learn how to spot a concussion and what to do if a concussion occurs.