TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2006//
TI  - Wheelchair related injuries treated in US emergency departments
JO  - Injury prevention
A1  - Xiang, Huiyun
A1  - Chany, Anne-Marie L.
A1  - Smith, Gary A.
SP  - 8
EP  - 11
VL  - 12
IS  - 1
N2  - OBJECTIVE: To characterize the trend of wheelchair related injuries over time, and describe the demographics and characteristics of wheelchair users' injuries by age group. METHODS: Data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) were analyzed. RESULTS: In 2003, more than 100 000 wheelchair related injuries were treated in emergency departments in the US, double the number reported in 1991. Tips and falls accounted for 65-80% of injuries across all age groups of wheelchair users. The majority of children's injuries occurred at locations outside of homes and institutions/hospitals in environments with stairs, ramps, and curbs (57.3%). In contrast, injuries among adult users were more likely to occur in homes, hospitals, and institutions (45-90%). CONCLUSIONS: Wheelchair related injuries may have increased in the US during the past decade. Prevention efforts should address the interacting complex factors that influence risk of injury while using a wheelchair.
LA  - en
SN  - 1353-8047
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/ip.2005.010033
ID  - ref1
ER  -