Citation

Hammig B, Jones C. Acad. Emerg. Med. 2010; 17(5): 566-569.

Affiliation

From the Health Science Program, Department of Health, Kinesiology, Recreation, and Dance, University of Arkansas (BH, CJ), Fayetteville, AR.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2010, Society for Academic Emergency Medicine, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/j.1553-2712.2010.00730.x

PMID

20394595

Abstract

Objectives: The objective was to examine injuries related to the use of a snow blower among patients treated in an emergency department (ED). Methods: Data were obtained from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) for the years 2002-2008. National estimates of ED visits for injuries associated with the use of a snow blower were obtained, and descriptive epidemiologic characteristics assessed. Results: From 2002 through 2008, there were an estimated 32,307 ED visits for injuries related to the use of a snow blower in the United States. Older adults had a higher proportion of ED visits for such injuries than younger age groups. The majority of injuries involved injuries to the hand, with 42% of cases diagnosed with fractures and 20% resulting in amputations. Conclusions: Findings indicate that injuries from snow blowers remain a public health problem. Efforts to reduce injury incidence are discussed in accordance with inherent challenges of prevention of injuries associated with these products.

Language: en