[Analysis of serious trauma injury patterns in Navarre (Spain) (2010-2019)].

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to describe major trauma cases in Navarre and analyze differences based on mortality groups, sex, and mode of injury. METHODS: Cross-sectional study of major traumas (severity =3) registered in Navarre between 2010 and 2019. We analyzed the type of trauma, intentionality, the mode of injury, and the affected anatomical area. The odds ratio for major trauma associated with different variables was calculated. RESULTS: The study included 2,609 patients; mean age was 54.7 years (0-101) and 70.9% were male. A predominance of accidental (84%) / blunt (94.7%) major traumas was recorded, primarily resulting from falls (46.5%) and car accidents (18.4%). Women experienced more falls and pedestrian accidents, while men had more motorcycle, bicycle, knife/firearm accidents, and contusions. Most major traumas affected the head and thorax. Head trauma was significantly more common in deceased individuals and women, while thoracic trauma was more frequent in patients who died on-site and in men. Head injuries were caused by falls from low heights and firearms, whereas thoracic injuries resulted from car accidents and falls from height. The risk of major trauma decreased with age; deceased patients were between two and three times more likely to present lesions in all anatomical areas. CONCLUSIONS: Gender differences are observed in intentionality, type, and mode of injury. Head and thoracic injuries are potentially life-threatening and abdominal and extremity/pelvic ring injuries are associated with early deaths. This suggests that the extent and severity of these injuries complicate treatment and management.

Association between dizziness and future falls and fall-related injuries in older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Dizziness is common in older adults, especially in those attending falls services. Yet, the extent to which dizziness is associated with future falls has not been reviewed. This systematic review and meta-analysis assessed the association between dizziness and future falls and related injuries in older adults. METHODS: EMBASE, CINAHL Plus, SCOPUS and PsycINFO databases were searched from inception to 5 February 2024. The review was registered on PROSPERO (registration ID: CRD42022371839). Meta-analyses were conducted for the associations of dizziness with future falls (including recurrent and injurious falls). Three meta-analyses were performed on different outcomes: any-type falls (≥1 falls), recurrent falls (≥2 falls) and injurious falls. RESULTS: Twenty-nine articles were included in the systematic review (N = 103 306 participants). In a meta-analysis of 14 articles (N = 46 795 participants), dizziness was associated with significantly higher odds of any-type future falls (OR = 1.63, 95% CI = 1.44-1.84). In another meta-analysis involving seven articles (N = 5630 participants), individuals with dizziness also had significantly higher odds of future recurrent falls (OR = 1.98, 95% CI = 1.62-2.42). For both meta-analyses, significant overall associations were observed even when adjusted for important confounding variables. In contrast, a meta-analysis (three articles, N = 46 631 participants) revealed a lack of significant association between dizziness and future injurious falls (OR = 1.12, 95% CI = 0.87-1.45). CONCLUSIONS: Dizziness is an independent predictor of future falls in older adults. These findings emphasise the importance of recognising dizziness as a risk factor for falls and implementing appropriate interventions.

Prevalence and risk factors of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children admitted to the emergency department due to traumas.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to determine the prevalence of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) symptoms and the associated risk factors in children admitted to the Emergency Department (ED) due to traumas. METHODS: EChildren aged 3-16 years admitted to the ED for traumas were included in the study. The control group consisted of children aged between 3-16, who visited the pediatric ED for non-traumatic reasons. The Revised Conners Parent Rating Scale (CPRS-R) was administered to parents who agreed to participate following initial intervention and stabilization. Trauma patients were divided into two groups: those diagnosed with ADHD and those without ADHD. Risk factors likely to increase the identification of ADHD were assessed. RESULTS: The study included 917 children, with both groups showing similar characteristics regarding age, sex, demographic, and cultural factors. The most common reason for ED visits was extremity traumas, accounting for 296 (35.2%) cases. The majority of trauma patients (95.9%) were discharged from the ED after outpatient interventions. All subscale scores of the CPRS-R, except for the social problems subscale, were significantly higher in the study group compared to the control group. Factors that increased the risk of ADHD included admission with extremity traumas (p<0.001), previous ED admissions due to traumas (p<0.001), and having a family member previously diagnosed with ADHD (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of ADHD symptoms may be higher in children admitted to the ED due to traumas. Furthermore, extremity traumas, previous trauma-related ED-admissions, and a family history of ADHD increase the risk of ADHD.

Time Pattern of Presentation of Victims of High-Speed Passenger Ferry Mass Casualty Incidents to the Emergency Department.

OBJECTIVE: Mass Casualty Incidents (MCIs) involving high-speed passenger ferries (HSPFs) may result in the dual-wave phenomenon, in which the emergency department (ED) is overwhelmed by an initial wave of minor injuries, followed by a second wave of more seriously injured victims. This study aimed to characterize the time pattern of ED presentation of victims in such accidents in Hong Kong. METHODS: All HSPF MCIs from 2005 to 2015 were reviewed retrospectively, with the time interval from accident to ED registration determined for each victim. Multivariable linear regression was used to identify independent factors associated with the time of ED presentation after the accidents. RESULTS: Eight MCIs involving 492 victims were identified. Victims with an Injury Severity Score (ISS) ≥ 9 had a significantly shorter median time interval compared to those with minor injuries. An ISS ≥ 9 and evacuation by emergency service vessels were associated with a shorter delay in ED arrival, whereas ship sinking, accident at nighttime, and a longer linear distance between the accident and receiving ED were associated with a longer delay. CONCLUSION: The dual-wave phenomenon was not present in HSPF MCIs. Early communication is the key to ensure early resource mobilisation and a well-timed response.

A mixed methods study on poisoning and injury-related emergency department visits associated with opioids in Canada, 2011 to 2022: from the Canadian hospitals injury reporting and prevention program.

BACKGROUND: The opioid crisis is a serious public health issue in Canada. There have been many surveillance programs and research studies on opioid-related emergency department (ED) visits at a national, provincial, regional or municipal level. However, no published studies have investigated the in-depth contexts surrounding opioid-related ED visits. In addition, few studies have examined injuries other than poisonings in those visits. The objective of this study is to investigate the contextual factors and co-occurrence of poisonings and injuries among the opioid-related ED visits in a Canadian sentinel surveillance system on injuries and poisonings from 2011 to 2022. METHODS: This study used a mixed methods design. The data source was the Canadian Hospitals Injury Reporting and Prevention Program. We first selected all opioid-related ED visits during our study period and then identified the contextual factors through a content analysis of the combination of the narrative description and other variables in the patients' records. The contextual factors were organized into themes as opioid use context, social resource utilization, bystander involvement, and prior naloxone use. The opioid use context was used as a co-variable to examine the other themes and ED presentations (poisonings and other injuries). Quantitative descriptive approach was used to analyze all the contexts and ED presentations. RESULTS: The most common opioid use context was non-prescribed opioid use without intention to cause harm, followed by self-poisoning, children's exposure, and medication error. Various rare contexts occurred. Paramedics participated in 27.9% of visits. Police and security guards were involved in 5.1% and 2.3% of visits, respectively. Child welfare or social workers were involved in 0.4% of visits. Bystanders initiated 18.9% of the ED visits. Naloxone use before arriving at the ED occurred in 23.4% of the visits with a variety of administrators. The majority of patients presented with poisoning effects, either with poisoning effects only or with other injuries or conditions. CONCLUSIONS: Our study has provided an in-depth analysis of contextual factors and co-occurrence of poisonings and injuries among opioid-related ED visits in Canada. This information is important for ED programming and opioid-related poisoning and injury intervention and prevention.

Examination of the transport characteristics of pediatric trauma patients.

Background/aim: Injury is an important public health problem in the pediatric age group and one of the leading global causes of morbidity and mortality. The fact that pediatric trauma has a significant impact on patients, families, and countries shows the need for a better understanding of this phenomenon. This study investigates the demographic characteristics, reasons for admission to the hospital, and diagnoses of pediatric trauma patients who received prehospital emergency health services. Materials and methods: This study was designed as a retrospective observational study and included all patients under the age of 18 who received emergency healthcare due to trauma and were registered in the Emergency Health Automation System after a call was placed to the emergency call center between 1 January 2018 and 31 December 2022. Information such as the reason for calling an ambulance, ICD-10 diagnosis codes, mechanism of injury, time of arrival at the scene, transport duration from the scene to the hospital, and reasons for interfacility transfers were collected for all patients. Results: A total of 37,420 patients were included in the analysis. Seventeen patients were found dead at the scene of the trauma and 35 patients experienced cardiac arrest on the way to the hospital from the scene. The difference between age groups in terms of time from arrival at the scene to arrival at the hospital was statistically significant (p < 0.001). Falls were the most common cause of trauma in all age groups, followed by traffic accidents. Patients requiring a specialist and transferred primarily for fall-related injuries were in direct proportion to the total number of cases (65.0%, n = 1838), followed by cases of traffic accidents and sports injuries. Most of the secondary transports were made to a training and research hospital or state hospital. Conclusion: Targeted preventive measures and community education should address the specific causes of trauma that are more prevalent in certain age groups. Early identification of special patient groups that typically require secondary transport can reduce mortality and morbidity related to trauma by facilitating direct transfers to appropriate hospitals.

Association between ambient temperature and economic burden of unintentional injury in Tianjin: a case-crossover study.

OBJECTIVE: Unintentional injuries constitute a significant global public health issue with significant social and economic costs. Previous evidence suggests ambient temperatures are associated with unintentional injury occurrences. However, the impacts of ambient temperature on unintentional injury economic burden have received little research attention. The objective of the study was to examine the association between ambient temperature and economic burden of unintentional injury. DESIGN: Time-stratified case-crossover study. SETTING: This study was performed at Tianjin Hospital, the largest trauma centre in Tianjin, by applying a hospital-based time-stratified case-crossover study. PARTICIPANTS: The 12 241 patients admitted with unintentional injuries and meteorological data were collected in Tianjin, China in 2021. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME: The association between ambient temperature and unintentional injury hospitalisation was evaluated with a distributed lag non-linear model, further temperature-attributable economic burden of unintentional injuries was quantified, and adjusted for demographic characteristics, injury mechanism and injury location of injury. RESULTS: The temperatures below 11.5°C were significantly associated with the increased risk of unintentional injury hospitalisation in Tianjin, in 2021. The effect was maximised on the current day. The relatively low temperature was responsible for 25.44% (95% CI 13.74, 33.09) of unintentional injury patients, and was associated with the number of unintentional injury patients (3114, 95% CI 1608, 4036). The relatively low temperature was associated with the excess economic burden for unintentional injury (¥197.52 million, 95% CI 102.00, 256.00; about 27.10 million dollars), accounting for 26.49% of the total economic burden. The cold temperatures generally had greater impacts on males (¥136.46 million, 95% CI 83.28, 172.42; about 18.67 million dollars) and the elderly (¥74.35 million, 95% CI 14.87, 102.14; about 10.24 million dollars). CONCLUSION: The temperature was associated with approximately 3000 unintentional injury patients and ¥200 million (27 million dollars), accounting for 26% of the total economic burden in Tianjin, 2021.

Differences in Injury Patterns and Delays in Care-Seeking Behaviors in the Anabaptist Population.

BACKGROUND: The lifestyle differences of Anabaptists and their views on health care may yield different injury patterns than standard populations and require a customized approach to injury prevention and health care delivery. OBJECTIVE: To identify differences in injury patterns and delays in care-seeking behaviors among the Anabaptists in Wisconsin. METHODS: This single-center retrospective cohort study was conducted from (23 years) January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2023. Local Trauma Registry data collected patient demographics, injury details, morbidity outcomes, in-hospital mortality, and preexisting comorbidity. Anabaptist trauma patients were isolated by confirmed identification in the Trauma Registry. The analysis utilized both descriptive statistics and a logistic regression model with the outcome of Anabaptist. RESULTS: A total of 14,431 patients were included in the analysis; 81 (0.4%) were confirmed as Anabaptist. The Anabaptist population showed a higher likelihood of helicopter transportation (odds ratio [OR] 4.64, p < .01) and an activation of Pediatric Level I (OR 4.07, p < .01). As the emergency department shock index increased by one unit, the odds of being Anabaptist increased by 9.87 (p < .01). The injury mechanisms that were associated with the Anabaptist population included buggy collisions (OR 312.58, p < .01), caught or crushed (OR 5.21, p = .01), machinery (OR 5.38, p < .01), near drowning (OR 14.09, p < .01), scooter (OR 13.93, p = .04), and woodworking (OR 12.81, p = .01). CONCLUSIONS: This study identified differences in injury patterns and delays in care-seeking behaviors in the Anabaptist population.

Optimizing Trauma Activation Criteria for a Rural Trauma Center.

BACKGROUND: There is a need for activation criteria that reflect the different factors affecting rural trauma patients. OBJECTIVE: To develop effective activation criteria for a rural trauma center among adults, incorporating variables specific to the geography, mechanisms of injury, and population served. METHODS: This is a single-center, retrospective cohort study conducted from (23 years) January 1, 2000, to July 31, 2023. The data collected patient demographics, injury details, morbidity, and preexisting comorbidity. This research included all adult (≥15 years) true Level I trauma activations defined as an injury severity score > 25 and met the need for trauma intervention criteria. The patients were grouped into adult and elderly categories. The analysis utilized a logistic regression model with the outcome of a true Level I trauma activation. RESULTS: A total of 19,480 patients were included in the sample; 2,858 (14.6%) met the Level I activation criteria. Elderly Level I activation included assault, pedestrian struck, multiple pelvic fractures, traumatic pneumo/hemothorax, mediastinal fracture, sternum fracture, and flail rib fracture. CONCLUSION: Using the findings of the logistic regression model, this center has made more robust activation guidelines adapted to its rural population.

The association between passenger-vehicle front-end profiles and pedestrian injury severity in motor vehicle crashes.

INTRODUCTION: Vehicles play an important role in pedestrian injury risk in crashes. This study examined the association between vehicle front-end geometry and the risk of fatal pedestrian injuries in motor vehicle crashes. METHOD: A total of 17,897 police-reported crashes involving a single passenger vehicle and a single pedestrian in seven states were used in the analysis. Front-end profile parameters of vehicles (2,958 vehicle makes, series, and model years) involved in these crashes were measured from vehicle profile photos, including hood leading edge height, bumper lead angle, hood length, hood angle, and windshield angle. We defined a front-end-shape indicator based on the hood leading edge height and bumper lead angle. Logistic regression analysis evaluated the effects of these parameters on the risk that a pedestrian was fatally injured in a single-vehicle crash. RESULTS: Vehicles with tall and blunt, tall and sloped, and medium-height and blunt front ends were associated with significant increases of 43.6%, 45.4%, and 25.6% in pedestrian fatality risk, respectively, when compared with low and sloped front ends. There was a significant 25.1% increase in the risk if a hood was relatively flat as defined in this study. A relatively long hood and a relatively large windshield angle were associated with 5.9% and 10.7% increases in the risk, respectively, but the increases were not significant. CONCLUSIONS: Vehicle front-end profiles that were significantly associated with increased pedestrian fatal injury risk were identified. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Automakers can make vehicles more pedestrian friendly by designing vehicle front ends that are lower and more sloped. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) can consider evaluations that account for the growing hood heights and blunt front ends of the vehicle fleet in the New Car Assessment Program or regulation.

Frailty and 6-month trajectory of elderly trauma patients over the age of 65 years admitted to intensive care unit for severe trauma: experience of a level 1 trauma center.

BACKGROUND: The aging global population forecasts a significant rise in severe trauma cases among individuals aged 65 and above. Frailty emerges as a paramount predictor of post-traumatic outcomes, surpassing age and trauma severity indices. Despite this, scant attention is given to the trajectory of elderly patients post-intensive care unit (ICU) stay following severe trauma, justifying this study. The objective of this study was to analyze trajectories (frailty, place of residence) following a major trauma requiring an ICU stay. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An observational cohort study was conducted, leveraging data from a level 1 trauma center spanning 2018 to 2023. Inclusion criteria included elderly patients aged 65 and above admitted to the ICU for severe trauma. Data encompassed demographic profiles, trauma severity scores, clinical parameters, and frailty assessments sourced from the Traumabase database. RESULTS: Among 293 patients included 190 were non-frail, frailty was correlated with elevated mortality rates (114 (38.9%) at 6 months), heightened incidence of traumatic brain injuries, and notable declines in post-traumatic autonomy. Only 39.2% of patients had resumed residence at home six months post-injury, with a conspicuous trend towards institutionalization, particularly among frail individuals. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the role of frailty in determining the outcomes of elderly patients following severe trauma. Frailty is associated with higher mortality, increased rates of institutionalization, and a decline in functional status. These results highlight the importance of assessing frailty in the trajectory of severely injured patients over the age of 65 years-old.

COVID-19's impact on hospital stays, mortality, and readmissions for poverty-related diseases, noncommunicable diseases, and injury groups in Thailand.

AIMS: This study aims to compare the trends in the quality of hospital care for WHO's three disease groups pre-, during, and post-COVID-19 pandemic peak in Thailand. METHODS: The study utilized existing hospital admission data from the Thai Health Information Portal (THIP) database, covering the period from 2017 to 2022. We categorized WHO's three disease groups: poverty-related, noncommunicable, and injury groups using the International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-10 of initial admission of patients, and we analyzed three major outcomes: prolonged (≥ 90th percentile) length of stay (LOS), hospital mortality, and readmission pre-, during, and post-COVID-19 pandemic peak. Relative weight (RW) of hospital reimbursements was used as a surrogate measure of the severity of the diseases. RESULTS: The average prolonged LOS of patients with poverty disease pre-, during, and post-COVID-19 pandemic peak were 7.1%, 10.8%, 9.05%, respectively. Respective hospital mortality rates were 5.02%, 6.22%, 6.05% and readmission were 6.98/1,000, 6.16/1,000, 5.43/1,000, respectively. For non-communicable diseases, the respective proportions in the prolonged LOS were 9.0%, 9.12%, and 7.58%, with respective hospital mortality being 10.65%, 8.86%, 6.62%, and readmissions were 17.79/1,000, 13.94/1,000, 13.19/1,000, respectively. The respective prolonged LOS for injuries were 8.75%, 8.55%, 8.25%. Meanwhile, respective hospital mortality were 4.95%, 4.05%, 3.20%, and readmissions were 1.99/1,000, 1.60/1,000, 1.48/1,000, respectively. The RW analysis reveals diverse impacts on resource utilization and costs. Most poverty-related and noncommunicable diseases indicate increased resource requirements and associated costs, except for HIV/AIDS and diabetes mellitus, showing mixed trends. In injuries, road traffic accidents consistently decrease resource needs and costs, but suicide cases show mixed trends. CONCLUSIONS: COVID-19 had a more serious impact, especially prolonged LOS and hospital mortality for poverty-related diseases more than noncommunicable diseases and injuries.

Identifying and prioritising barriers to injury care in Northern Malawi, results of a multifacility multidisciplinary health facility staff survey.

INTRODUCTION: The burden of injuries globally and in Malawi is substantial. Optimising both access to, and quality of, care in health systems requires attention. We aimed to establish how health facility staff in Karonga, Malawi, perceive barriers to seeking (delay 1), reaching (delay 2) and receiving (delay 3) injury care. METHOD: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of health facility staff who treat patients with injuries in all health facilities serving the Karonga Demographic Surveillance Site population. The primary outcome was participant perceptions of the importance of delays 1 to 3 following injury. Secondary outcomes were the barriers within each of these delays considered most important and which were considered the most important across all delays stages. RESULTS: 228 staff completed the survey: 36.8% (84/228) were female and 61.4% (140/228) reported being involved in caring for an injured person at least weekly. Delay 3 was most frequently considered the most important delay 35.1% (80/228), with 19.3% (44/228) and 16.6% (38/228) reporting delays 1 and 2 as the most important respectively; 28.9% (66/228) of respondents either did not know or answer. For delay 1 the barrier, "the perceived financial costs associated with seeking care are too great", was considered most important. For delay 2, the barrier "lack of timely affordable emergency transport (formal or informal)" was considered most important. For delay 3, the barrier, "lack of reliably available necessary physical resources (infrastructure, equipment and consumable material)" was considered most important. When considering the most important overall barrier across all delays, the delay 3 barrier, "lack of reliably available necessary physical resources" received the most nominations (41.7% [95/228]). CONCLUSIONS: Given the awareness of health facility staff of the issues facing their patients, these findings should assist in informing health system planning.

Epidemiological analysis of a 10-year retrospective study of pediatric trauma in intensive care.

Pediatric trauma plays a crucial role in pediatric mortality, with traffic injuries and falls frequently cited as leading causes of significant injuries among children. A comprehensive investigation, including geographical factors, is essential for developing effective strategies to prevent injuries and alleviate the burden of pediatric trauma. This study involved a retrospective analysis of clinical data from pediatric patients admitted to our hospital's intensive care unit (ICU) due to trauma over a 10-year period. Comprehensive analyses were conducted to elucidate trends, demographics, injury patterns, and risk factors associated with these admissions. This retrospective study included 951 pediatric patients (mean age: 4.79 ± 3.24 years; mean weight: 18.45 ± 9.02 kg; median time to ICU admission post-injury: 10.86 ± 14.95 h). Among these patients, 422 (44.4%) underwent emergency surgery, and 466 (49%) required mechanical ventilation support, with a mean duration of 70.19 ± 146.62 h. The mean duration of ICU stay was 6.24 ± 8.01 days, and the overall mean hospitalization duration was 16.08 ± 15.56 days. The predominant cause of unintentional injury was traffic accidents (47.9%), followed by falls (42.5%) and burns/scalds (5.3%). Most incidents involved children aged 0-6 years (70.7%), with males comprising 60.0% of patients. Injury incidents predominantly occurred between 12 and 6 PM (44.5%) and on non-workdays (37.6%). The most common locations where injuries occurred were roadsides (49%) and rural areas (64.35%). Single-site injuries (58.78%) were more prevalent than multiple-site injuries (41.22%), and head injuries were the most common among single-site injuries (81.57%). At ICU admission, the mean injury severity score was 18.49 ± 8.86. Following active intervention, 871 patients (91.59%) showed improvement, while 80 (8.41%) succumbed to their injuries. Traffic injuries remain the primary cause of pediatric trauma leading to ICU admission, underscoring the importance of using appropriate child restraint systems and protective gear as fundamental preventive measures. The increased incidence of injuries among children aged < 6 years and those residing in rural areas highlights the need for targeted preventive strategies, necessitating tailored interventions and public policy formulations that address these high-risk populations.

Drug use practices and wound care experiences in the age of xylazine adulteration.

INTRODUCTION: Exposure to xylazine has been associated with wounds distinct from typical injection-related skin and soft tissue infections. We sought to understand drug use and wound care practices, and treatment experiences of people who use drugs (PWUD) in a high-prevalence area of xylazine adulteration. METHODS: In August 2023, we surveyed adult PWUD reporting at least one past-year drug use-related wound across three Massachusetts syringe service programs. Using a representative illustration, participants indicated if they had experienced a xylazine wound in the past 90 days. We compared demographic, drug use factors, wound care, and medical treatment experiences among those with and without xylazine wounds. We also conducted additional content analysis of open-ended responses. RESULTS: Of the 171 respondents, 87 % (n=148) had a xylazine wound in the past 90 days. There were no statistically significant demographic differences between those with and without xylazine wounds. Among those primarily injecting (n=155), subcutaneous injection was nearly ten times more likely among people with xylazine wounds. For those with xylazine wounds (n=148), many engaged in heterogeneous wound self-treatment practices, and when seeking medical care, 74 % experienced healthcare stigma and 58 % had inadequate pain and withdrawal management. CONCLUSION: People with self-identified xylazine wounds were more likely to engage in subcutaneous injection and faced several barriers seeking medical wound treatment. Programs serving people exposed to xylazine should work to support safer injection practices, including alternatives to injecting and improving access to high-quality, effective wound care. Further study is warranted to understand the causes, promoters, and prevention of xylazine-related wounds.

Monitoring day and dark traffic collisions in Toronto neighbourhoods with implications for injury reduction and Vision Zero initiatives: A spatial analysis approach.

The City of Toronto adopted a Vision Zero strategy in 2016 that aims to eliminate deaths and serious injuries from vehicular collisions. The strategy includes policies to improve lighting to reduce collision risks, and past research has suggested lighting as a road safety factor. We apply Bayesian spatial analysis (including Poisson log-normal regression modelling, shared component spatial modelling, and Bayesian spatiotemporal modelling) to publicly available data on traffic collisions where persons are killed or seriously injured (KSI) based on Day/Dark conditions. We assess (1) links between KSI risk and socioeconomic and built environment factors, (2) spatial distributions of relative Day & Dark KSI risk, and (3) area-specific trends in space and time for Day-Dark KSI risk change across Toronto neighbourhoods. Our analysis does not find significant associations between socioeconomic/built environment factors and KSI risk, but we uncover neighbourhoods with heightened Dark KSI risk and pronounced Day-Dark KSI changes compared to Toronto's mean area trend. Findings highlight the need for increased policy attention for impacts of lighting on collisions and provide insight for focus regions for improved Vision Zero policy development.

Investigating vehicle-vehicle and vehicle-pedestrian crash severity at street intersections with the latent class parameterized correlation bivariate generalized ordered probit.

Street intersection crashes often involve two parties: either two vehicles hitting each other (i.e., a vehicle-vehicle crash) or a vehicle colliding with a pedestrian (i.e., a vehicle-pedestrian crash). In such crashes, the severity of injuries can vary considerably between the parties involved. It is necessary to understand the injuries of both parties simultaneously to identify the causality of a vehicle-pedestrian or two-vehicle crash. While the latent class ordinal model has been used in crash severity studies to capture heterogeneity in crash propensity, most of these studies are univariate, which is inappropriate for crashes involving two parties. This study proposes a latent class parameterized correlation bivariate generalized ordered probit (LCp-BGOP) model to examine 32,308 vehicle-vehicle and vehicle-pedestrian crashes at intersections in Taipei City, Taiwan. The model parameterizes thresholds and within-crash correlations of crash severity involving two parties and classifies these crashes into two distinct risk groups: the "Ordinary Crash Severity" (OCS) group and the "High Crash Severity" (HCS) group. The OCS group is mainly two-vehicle crashes involving motorcycles. The HCS group comprises vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists, mainly in mixed traffic with heavy volumes. The results also show that the effects of party-specific factors contributing to injury severity are greater than those of generic factors. Our study provides invaluable insight into intersection crashes, helping to reduce the severity of injuries in vehicle-vehicle and vehicle-pedestrian crashes.

Epidemiology of orthopedic injuries among inpatients admitted at a tertiary teaching and referral hospital in Kenya: a retrospective cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Orthopedic injuries are serious and continue to be a concern for healthcare systems worldwide. Approximately 90% of the estimated traumatic injuries occur in low- and middle-income countries. In Kenya, there is a dearth of information on orthopedic injury patterns that could be used to prioritize injury prevention measures and to help hospital management teams allocate resources appropriately. The purpose of this study was to determine the epidemiology of orthopedic injuries admitted to Kenyatta National Hospital. METHODS: This was a retrospective cross-sectional study. Overall, 720 charts were reviewed. Data were analyzed using frequency distribution, pearson chi-square test and logistic regression. RESULTS: Overall, 85% were aged 15-64 years. Approximately 80% were male, married or single. Patients with primary or secondary education composed 72%. Road traffic accidents (59.4%) and falls (24.7%) were the most common mechanisms of injury. A total of 99.9% of the inpatients were Kenyans. Open injuries were 40.1%. Lower limb (67.4%) and upper limb (26.9%) injuries were the most common. Inpatients aged 15-24 years were 74% less likely to have upper limb injuries than those aged 0-14 years (p = 0.023). However, those aged 15-24 years were 19.250 times more likely to have spine injuries than those aged 0-14 years (p = 0.008). Males were 68.6% and 51.2% less likely to have pelvic injury and comorbidities, respectively, than females (p < 0.001). Patients with secondary and tertiary education were 2.016 (p = 0.003) and 2.3 (p < 0.001) times more likely to have upper limb injuries, respectively, than those with no or preschool education. Similarly, those with tertiary education were 2.079 times more likely to have comorbidities than those with no or preschool education (p = 0.017). CONCLUSION: Most of the inpatients with orthopedic injuries were young, male involved in Road traffic accidents and therefore Kenya National Transport and Safety Authority needs to enforce road safety measures to reduce road carnage. Those with higher education and children were more likely to have upper limb injuries. Females were more likely to have pelvic injuries and co-morbidities. Lower and upper limb injuries were the most common injuries and this should guide resource allocation in management of orthopedic injuries.

Data analysis of patients admitted to the emergency medicine clinic of Mersin City Training and Research Hospital after the Kahramanmaras earthquake.

BACKGROUND: In earthquakes and other natural disasters, there is a significant number of injuries directly resulting from trauma. Additionally, due to the disaster's impact on overloaded health institutions, healthcare providers face significant challenges during earthquakes. In this context, nearby hospitals providing health services play a crucial role. Nonetheless, with proper planning, the health crisis can be managed in the best possible way. METHODS: A single-center retrospective study was conducted on patients admitted to Mersin City Training and Research Hospital due to injuries attributed to the earthquake that occurred in the southern and mid-eastern regions of Türkiye on February 6, 2023. A total of 2,155 patients meeting the study criteria were included in the analysis. RESULTS: Of the 2,155 patients enrolled in the study, 46.8% (n=1009) were male, with a mean age of 45.86±17.68 years. Falls (57.2%, n=1233) were the most common mechanism of injury, and 71.9% (n=1550) of cases presented to the hospital on their own. Among the head injuries, the most common types were soft tissue injury and lacerations, while soft tissue injury and rib fractures were most common in the thoracic region. Soft tissue injury and retroperitoneal bleeding were the most commonly recorded types among abdominal injuries, whereas soft tissue injury and fractures were most common in the upper and lower extremities. Fractures were identified in 11.1% (n=240) of cases in the upper extremities and 21.3% (n=458) in the lower extremities. Rhabdomyolysis was one of the most frequently observed injury types (n=443, 20.6%). Crush syndrome and acute kidney injury were recorded in 9.2% (n=198) of cases, leading to a total of 46 amputations in 40 (1.8%) patients and 164 fasciotomies in 132 (6.1%) patients. The orthopedics department performed the most frequent surgical interventions and hospitalizations. Mortality was noted in 2.87% (n=62) of cases. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated a significant increase in workload and patient volume following the earthquake. There is a need for a large number of healthcare professionals for expedient intervention in conditions such as fractures, crush syndrome, amputation, and fasciotomy in disasters with a high risk of serious trauma, such as earthquakes. Disaster planning and preparedness for possible consequences will mitigate the healthcare crisis involving the hospitals and lead to significant reductions in mortality and morbidity.

Medical evacuations out of U.S. Central and Africa commands among the active and reserve components of the U.S. Armed Forces, 2023

This report summarizes the nature, numbers, and trends of conditions for which military members were medically evacuated from the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) or Africa Central Command (AFRICOM) operations during 2023, with historical comparisons to the previous 4 years. Mental health disorders and injuries were the most common diagnostic categories in 2023 among service members medically evacuated from U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) and U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM). In 2023, 724 service members were medically evacuated from CENTCOM and 225 were evacuated from AFRICOM, with hospitalization required for 197 (27.2%) and 50 (22.2%), respectively. Most service members who were medically evacuated from CENTCOM or AFRICOM were returned to full duty status following their post-evacuation hospitalizations or outpatient evaluations. In 2023, evacuations for both battle and non-battle injuries from U.S. CENTCOM increased, following a period of decline. The number of service members medically evacuated in 2023 from AFRICOM remained unchanged from the previous year.