• Carolyn E Snider, Depeng Jiang, Sarvesh Logsetty, Wanda Chernomas, Elaine Mordoch, Carla Cochrane, Jamil Mahmood, Heather Woodward, and Terry P Klassen.
• Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON.
• Can J Emerg Med. 2020 May 1; 22 (3): 313-320.

ObjectivesTo determine feasibility and efficacy of an Emergency Department Violence Intervention Program (EDVIP) to reduce violence related injuries in youth.MethodsOne hundred and thirty youth aged 14-24 presenting to an emergency with violence related injury were randomized in parallel to receive EDVIP for 1 year (n = 65) or a waitlist control (n = 65). The primary outcome was to determine feasibility. Secondary outcomes are incidence, number/severity of repeat violence related injury, justice and education systems interactions, substance misuse and mental health presentations, and ED length of stay (LOS).ResultsThis study established feasibility in recruitment, outcomes collection and safety. Fidelity and adherence measures required optimization during the study. Efficacy analysis of EDVIP vs. the control group demonstrates an absolute decrease of 10.4% in repeat violence related injury (13.7% vs. 24.1%) (p = 0.15), reduction in new interactions in the justice system (OR = 0.36 (0.07-1.77)), improved engagement in education (11.8% EDVIP vs. 7.6% control, p = 0.42) and no change in repeat visits for substance or mental health. LOS decreased by 59.5 min (p = 0.21).ConclusionsThis program is feasible for ED implementation and for completion of a future RCT to measure effectiveness.

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