Helping Individuals with Firearm Injuries: A Cluster Randomized Trial

The goal of this study was to test the effect of this multi-component intervention on criminal activity, injury, substance abuse, mental health, quality of life, violent behavior, and death. Investigators aimed to enroll a total of 300 patients admitted to the Harborview Medical Center (HMC) for firearm-related injuries. Patients were randomized to receive a multi-component intervention or treatment as usual. Participants completed surveys at the time of study consent (baseline) and then at designated time points for 12 months post-consent. Study staff routinely collected participant records from Washington State Patrol records, HMC medical records, Washington State trauma registry, Washington State Emergency Department Information Exchange, Administrative Office of the Courts, and vital records. The investigators tested the impact of the intervention against standard care. The hypothesis was that participants in the intervention group will see greater improvements in aforementioned outcomes than those in the control group.