The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #47877

Flaura K. Winston, MD, PhD, TraumaLink at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine Div. General Peds., 34th Street and Civic Center Boulevard, 3535 TraumaLink, 10th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19104, 215-590-3118, flaura@mail.med.upenn.edu, Edith M. Simpson, RN, PhD, School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, 420 Guardian Drive, Philadelphia, PA 19104, Michael Elliott, PhD, Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Pennsylvania, 612 BLOCKLEY/6021, 423 GUARDIAN DRIVE, Philadelphia, PA 19104, George A. Woodward, MD, MBA, Division of Emergency Medicine, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 34th Street and Civic Center Blvd., Philadelphia, PA 19104, and Dennis R. Durbin, MD, MSCE, Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatisitcs, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, 423 Guardian Drive, Romm 711 Blockley Hall, Philadelphia, PA 19104.

PURPOSE: Motor vehicle crashes remain the leading cause of childhood injury. The purpose of this study was to provide crash exposure-based estimates for the utilization of health care services for acute care following crashes. METHODS: Data were collected via insurance claim records and a validated telephone survey instrument to determine circumstances of the crash, medical care received, and nature of injuries. A probability sample of crashes involving 4862 vehicles with 7368 child occupants under 16 in three large US regions, 12/1/1998 to 11/30/2000, formed the study sample. Injuries were defined as AIS 2 or greater and facial lacerations. RESULTS: 1.6% of the children sustained an injury; less than 1% required hospitalization. The majority of children (84%) received no medical care. Of those receiving care, 70% received care in the Emergency Department (ED) while 25% were seen in a physician’s office without further care in a ED and 5% were given other medical care (urgent care, chiropractor, etc.). 11% of children who received care in an ED had sustained an injury while 3.0% of children who received care in a physician’s office without further care in a ED had sustained an injury. 91% of children treated in an ED received the care the same day while 9% first received care after the day of the crash. CONCLUSIONS: A small percentage of children who are in motor crashes sustain injuries serious enough to require hospitalization. Comprehensive surveillance systems for motor vehicle crashes must capture children treated in physicians’ offices and emergency departments.

Learning Objectives: