Demographics and Incident Location of Traumatic Injuries at a Single Level I Trauma Center.

INTRODUCTION: Traumatic injuries are preventable and understanding determinants of injury, such as socio-economic and environmental factors, is vital. This study evaluated traumatic injuries and identified areas of high trauma incidence. METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted of all patients 14 years or older who were admitted with a traumatic injury to a Level I trauma center between 2016 and 2017. Descriptive analyses were presented and maps of high injury areas were generated. RESULTS: The most frequent mechanisms of injury were falls (58.3%), motor vehicle crashes (22.3%), and motorcycle crashes (5.7%). Fall patients were more likely to be female (59.6%) and were the oldest age group (72.1 ± 17.2) compared to motor vehicle and motorcycle crash patients. Severe head (22.1%, p = 0.007) and extremity (35.7%, p = 0.001) injuries were most frequent among fall patients, however, more motorcycle crash patients required mechanical ventilation (16.1%, p < 0.001) and experienced the longest intensive care unit length of stay (5.3 ± 6.8 days, p < 0.001) and mechanical ventilation days (6.6 ± 8.5, p < 0.036). Motorcycle crash patients also had the greatest number of deaths (7.5%, p < 0.001). The generated maps of all traumas suggested that most injuries occur near our hospital and are located in several of the most population-dense zip codes. CONCLUSION: Patient demographics, injury severity, and hospital outcomes varied by mechanisms of injury. Traumatic injuries occurred near our hospital and were located in several of the most populationdense zip codes. Injury prevention efforts should target high incident areas.

Demographics and Incident Location of Gunshot Wounds at a Single Level I Trauma Center.

INTRODUCTION: Kansas has seen a steady increase in the rate of firearm deaths and injuries. Little is known surrounding the demographic and geospatial factors of these firearm-related traumas. The purpose of this study was to describe the overall incidence of firearm-related traumas, identify high injury locations, and examine any racial/ethnic disparities that may exist. METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted of all patients 14 years or older who were admitted with a gunshot wound (GSW) to a Level I trauma center between 2016 and 2017. RESULTS: Forty-nine percent of patients were Caucasian, 26.5% African American, and 19.6% Hispanic/Latino. Hispanic/Latino patients were the youngest (25.8 ± 8.8 years) and Caucasians were the oldest (34.3 ± 14.1 years, p = 0.002). Compared to Caucasian patients, African American (42.0%) and Hispanic/Latino (54.1%) patients were more likely to be admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU; p = 0.034) and experienced longer ICU lengths of stay (2.5 ± 6.3 and 2.4 ± 4.7 days, p = 0.031, respectively). African American patients (96.0%) experienced more assaults, while Caucasians were more likely to receive gunshot wounds accidentally (26.9%, p = 0.001). More African American (86.0%) and Hispanic/Latino (89.2%) patients were injured with a handgun and Caucasians sustained the highest percentage of shotgun/rifle related injuries (16.1%, p = 0.012). Most GSWs occurred in zip codes 67202, 67203, 67213, 67211, and 67214. Geographical maps indicated that GSWs occur in neighborhoods with low-income and high minority residents and in the downtown and nightclub areas of the city. CONCLUSIONS: Most GSW victims were older Caucasian males. Racial differences were noted and injury locations concentrated in certain locations.