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- Title
Injury Patterns and Discharge Dispositions in Motorcycle Crash Victims.
- Authors
Alexander, Noah; Foster, Sarah; Mann, Shawna; Penner, Marcio; Penner, Erika; Penner, Murray
- Abstract
Background: Increasing gas prices and urban congestion are causing more Canadians to consider motorcycling as an alternative mode of transport. The risks of motorcycling have been documented in studies in the United States, Europe, and Asia but there is a notable paucity of Canadian studies. Because of differences in helmet and traffic regulations Canadian motorcyclists' injury patterns cannot be assumed to parallel those in other countries. This study uses a retrospective chart review to analyze injury patterns in motorcycle crash victims and their relationship to discharge disposition and length of hospital stay. Methods: All patients involved in a motorcycle crash and admitted to the Vancouver General Hospital between April 2001 and December 2009 (N = 567) were included in the study. Data was extracted from the ICD-10 coded Discharge Abstract Database. Results: Riders tended to be male (89.2%) and had a mean age of 37.2. The average length of stay was14.4 days, although patients with head/facial injuries, t(564)=6.23, p<.01, and spinal injuries, t(564)=7.25, p<001, were more to likely to have extended stays. Overall, the most common injuries were tibial fractures (N = 108, 19% of cases), forearm fractures (N = 105, 18.5%), rib fractures (N=92%, 16.2%) and ankle and/or foot fractures (N = 91, 16.0%). Most riders were discharged home (N=403, 70.0%). This group had significantly fewer injuries (M=2.2) than those who remained in hospital or expired (M=4.4 injuries). The most common injuries experienced by those discharged home were tibial and forearm fractures (N=70, 17.4%, for each), and ankle and/or foot fractures (N=69, 17.1%). In contrast, those who remained in hospital were most likely to have sustained injuries to the pelvis (N=43, 29.3%), cervical spine (N=38, 25.9%), or thoracic spine (N=37, 25.2%). Among the 14 patients (2.5%) who expired, the most common injuries were intracranial haemorrhage, rib fracture, haemothorax, liver injury, and cervical spine fracture (N=5, 35.7% for each). Conclusion: The results provide a starting point to help physicians predict injuries in motorcycle crash victims and highlight areas where rider armor is most valuable. Finally they call attention to the potential health care costs with increasing motorcycle usage.
- Subjects
MOTORCYCLING accidents; TRAFFIC accident victims; TRAFFIC accidents; WOUNDS &; injuries; MEDICAL care costs
- Publication
UBC Medical Journal, 2011, Vol 2, Issue 2, p27
- ISSN
1920-7425
- Publication type
Abstract