Utilizar datos para tomar decisiones

(En inglés)

Action 1. Use Data to Make Decisions

Narrator: In a culture of safety, everyone shares the belief that children need to be safe. You can use data to improve safety for children, staff, and families. You can use data to predict injuries and take action to prevent them. 

For example, national data shows that falls are the leading cause of injury among children. Your program can look for and remove tripping hazards to prevent falls. 

Your annual report of injury data shows an increase in injuries in fall and spring. Your program can plan safety inspections and staff trainings at the beginning of each season. You may review injury reports and find that, in the past week, three children have been injured near the slide on your playground. You can make sure there is a safe surfacing under playground equipment and assign someone to actively supervise near the slide to prevent playground injuries. 

Your program collects valuable data by documenting injuries. Injury reports can help you learn about when, where, how, and why injuries are happening. Hazard Mapping uses the data from your injury reports to help you understand trends by looking at patterns of injury. Using a map of your space, mark the locations of injuries. Make a list of the time of day they happen. Look at whether any equipment was involved, which children were involved, or other data that may show a pattern of injuries.

For example, your Hazard Mapping might show a pattern of injuries near an area rug in a corner of the classroom. You see that this is the third time a child has tripped and fallen on the rug, which is not securely attached to the floor. Your data allow you to predict that more injuries are going to occur until the problem is corrected. You notify a supervisor, and you put up a barrier so children cannot play in this area of the room until the rug is properly secured. 

In a culture of safety, programs collect and share data with as many people as possible, because everyone has a role in keeping children safe. This includes the governing body, Policy Council, staff and administrators, the Health and Mental Health Services Advisory Committee, and families.

The next great idea for creating an injury prevention plan could come from any of these groups. Families may have insight into their child's injuries; staff may know why there are repeated injuries in a certain location; the Policy Council may need to understand injuries so they can recommend changes; and the governing body may need information so you can budget for ongoing maintenance, training, and improvements to the facility, materials, and equipment. 

Don't forget to remove any personally identifiable information and maintain confidentiality when sharing health data with others. Remember, using data helps to predict and prevent injuries and promote a culture of safety.