Protocol for the Houston Hospital-Based Violence Intervention Program

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Trauma Surgery
• Criminology

Background:

• Firearm violence is a major cause of injury and death in the U.S.
• Hospital-based Violence Intervention Programs (HVIPs) are a strategy to reduce violence recurrence.
• Effective HVIP implementation in Level 1 trauma centers is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the design and implementation of the Houston Hospital-Based Violence Intervention Program (Houston-HVIP).
• To evaluate the effectiveness of the Houston-HVIP through a randomized controlled trial.
• To assess the impact of intensive case management on firearm violence exposure and related outcomes.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial at a Level 1 trauma center in Houston, Texas.
• Enrollment of individuals aged 16-35 with gunshot wounds.
• Randomization to intensive case management (treatment) or usual care (control), with assessments at multiple time points.

Main Results:

• The primary outcome is a composite measure of firearm violence exposure.
• Secondary outcomes include violent reinjury, PTSD, aggression, and self-rated health.
• Both quantitative and qualitative data will be collected to assess program impact and participant experience.

Conclusions:

• This protocol aims to contribute to the evidence base for HVIPs in trauma centers.
• Findings will inform the design and implementation of similar programs nationwide.
• HVIPs offer a promising public health approach to mitigating firearm violence.