TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2019//
TI  - Characteristics of accidental injuries from power tools treated at two emergency departments in Queensland
JO  - Emergency medicine Australasia
A1  - Judge, Chantelle
A1  - Eley, Rob
A1  - Miyakawa-Liu, Monica
A1  - Brown, Nathan J.
A1  - McCosker, Laura
A1  - Livesay, Georgia
A1  - Hughes, James A.
A1  - Vallmuur, Kirsten
SP  - 436
EP  - 443
VL  - 31
IS  - 3
N2  - OBJECTIVE: Injuries are a major burden on the Australian healthcare system. Power tool usage is a common cause of accidental injury. A better understanding of the trends of power tool injuries will inform prevention strategies and potentially mitigate costs. <br><br>METHODS: The ED databases from two level 1 hospitals were reviewed for presentations between 2005 and 2015 resulting from accidental injury with power tools. A subgroup of patients presenting to one hospital between 2016 and 2017 were interviewed about the activities and circumstances that led to their injuries, and followed up 3 months later to assess outcomes. <br><br>RESULTS: A total of 4057 cases of accidental injury from power tool use were identified. Power saws and grinders contributed to 54% of injuries. Most injuries were located on an upper limb (48%) or the head and neck (30%). Over half (54%) of all head injuries were associated with metal and wood fragments to the eye from grinders, drills and saws. Hospital admission rates were highest for patients aged >60 years. Injuries to females were <5% of all presentations, but 40% of those caused by lawnmowers. Among the 200 patients interviewed, lapses in concentration during use, and modification and inappropriate use of a power tool were the main contributors to injury. Recovery periods >3 months were common. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Accidental injuries from power tool use have a considerable impact on ED resources and can affect the long-term quality of life of those injured. Effective education about safe usage and protection may prevent many injuries.<br><br>© 2018 Australasian College for Emergency Medicine.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 1742-6731
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/1742-6723.13201
ID  - ref1
ER  -