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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Brian Chen, MD, Jack Sava, MD, FACS, Susan Kennedy, RN, Patricia White, RN, and Michael D. Williams, MD FACS. Department of Surgery, Washington Hospital Center, 110 Irving Street, NW, Suite 4B-39, Washington, DC 20010, 202-877-5190, drbrianchen@verizon.net

Background: In the 2005 National Trauma Data Bank Annual Report, pedestrians comprised only 0.35% of injuries. Little research has been conducted on the societal costs attributable to this population. This study begins to quantify the societal burden that these patients bear in comparison to those sustaining penetrating injury. Methods: Pedestrian-struck (PS) patients were retrospectively compared to those who sustained a penetrating injury (PI) from 1999-2003. Registry data from a Level I trauma center in Washington, DC were cross-referenced with financial data for both groups. The PS and PI patient populations were compared by: mean injury severity score (ISS), length of stay (LOS), and hospital charges/collections. Two-tailed Student t-tests were used where appropriate. Results: 621 and 1779 patients comprised the PS and PI groups, respectively. Mean ISS was similar (10.6 vs. 8.6 days, p=0.41). Mean LOS was significantly longer for PS (9.0 vs. 4.6 days, p < 0.001). The mean hospital charges for PS was significantly greater ($48,916.42 vs. $30,861.33, p < 0.001), while, the mean rate of hospital collections for PS was significantly lower (17.1% vs. 23.9%, p = 0.002). Conclusion: Our findings show pedestrian-struck patients represent a disproportionate burden to society's limited healthcare resources. Significant cost reductions can be gained by focusing prevention efforts on this small, but largely uninvestigated population.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant will be able to

• Identify demographic and economic differences between pedestrian-struck and penetrating injury patient populations
• Recognize the potential economic benefits of improved injury prevention efforts for pedestrians. 3)Recognize the need for more effective pedestrian safety interventions

Keywords: Motor Vehicles, Injury Prevention

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation