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Volume 2016, Issue 1
  • ISSN: 1999-7086
  • EISSN: 1999-7094

Abstract

Non-residents visiting an area often have limited local knowledge of the natural environmental conditions, exacerbating their risk of unintentional injuries. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of unintentional injuries of non-Welsh residents presenting to the Emergency Department of a regional trauma unit in South Wales. A retrospective hospital database review was undertaken from 2006 to 2014. All patients presenting to the ED with a non-Welsh postcode, with a diagnosis of unintentional injury were included in the study. Data collected included age, sex, time of year of presentation, injury mechanism, body part injured and patient outcome. Descriptive data were recorded and analysed. From 2006 to 2014, overall attendance of non-Welsh residents to the ED was 4323. A total of 2961 (68%) patients were male, with a median age of 28 (IQR: 18–47). The most common time of year for non-Welsh resident presentations to the ED was the summer. A mechanical fall was the most commonly reported mechanism of injury. There was a significantly higher prevalence of mechanical falls and alleged assaults in the non-resident cohort, when compared to residents presenting with unintentional injuries (both p < 0.001). This is the first study to investigate unintentional injuries of non-Welsh residents and their impact on an ED in the UK. Further prospective research is needed in order to investigate whether the introduction of new public health policies impact on ED services in tourist areas in the UK.

© 2016 Battle, Evans, Evans, licensee HBKU Press.
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2016-05-18
2025-01-23
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/content/journals/10.5339/jemtac.2016.2
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Review of non-Welsh residents' unintentional injuries presenting to an Emergency Department in South Wales: A nine-year retrospective study
Journal of Emergency Medicine, Trauma and Acute Care 2016, 2 (2016); https://doi.org/10.5339/jemtac.2016.2
/content/journals/10.5339/jemtac.2016.2
/content/journals/10.5339/jemtac.2016.2
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  • Article Type: Research Article
Keyword(s): Emergency department, non-resident, retrospective study and unintentional injuries

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