Traffic accident hospital admissions are decreasing. The trend remains at around 5,000 non-fatal casualties per year. Those who suffer severe injuries are admitted in the MAIS3+ category. This category represents the worst road traffic accident injuries. The number of patients admitted into this category will decrease by 16% by 2020.
Pre-hospital care
Providing pre-hospital care requires a careful approach to the traffic accident scene. Whether there is a vehicle fire, hazardous material, or bystander involvement, a pre-hospital care provider must assess and control life-threats before contacting the patient. This may involve evaluating the scene for injuries, and determining whether or not to provide first aid.
The time that emergency medical care arrives at the scene can greatly reduce the extent of injury and improve the chances of survival. According to trauma specialists, the first 60 minutes are the most critical period for reducing the risk of death. It is also the time when life-saving measures are the most important.
In contrast, Vietnam’s first aid service is far less effective than that in other countries, where nearly 90% of accident victims receive first aid within 10 minutes. Consequently, many accident victims are left at the scene of the crash without life-saving assistance. These victims are also at a higher risk of suffering post-traumatic stress disorders and a lower HRQOL, which makes it even more important to provide timely care.
Emergency care provided by pre-hospital services includes assessment of vital functions such as blood pressure, pulse, and cardiac function. It may also include the administration of medicinal and fluid therapy. A physician will then determine whether further treatment is necessary. Depending on the severity of the injury, pre-hospital care may include staying at home while a person receives treatment.
Swedish pre-hospital care has come a long way since the 1970s. A clear understanding of the “Golden Hour” has contributed to its improvement. Although no specific time limit has been set, the Swedish rescue service has made significant improvements to ensure that patients receive the best possible treatment before transport.
Trauma care
Trauma care at a traffic accident hospital is an important part of recovery after an accident. Injuries sustained in a traffic accident are often severe and even deadly. Fortunately, there are ways to reduce the risk of death and maximize the chances of survival. One way is through efficient pre-hospital care. Providing immediate and effective trauma treatment can drastically increase the survival rate for victims of traffic accidents.
Trauma care begins with a thorough assessment of the injured person. The emergency room staff should be competent, reassuring and willing to help the patient. The first priority should be resuscitating the victim, who may be in shock. If pain is severe, a physician should start a drip of parenteral opiates. The patient’s peripheral circulation will probably have collapsed, and fractures and abdominal trauma may cause concealed haemorrhage. If the patient has an extensive amount of blood loss, a surgical hemostasis should be performed to reduce the bleeding and prevent the patient’s death.
A trauma care system should be in place in every traffic accident hospital. The number of patients who die in road crashes in the UK is decreasing. The country has the lowest road accident fatality rate in the EEC, and fewer road accidents than the USA, Japan and Australia. However, inappropriate pre-hospital care can exacerbate injuries. Injury severity should be assessed using an Injury Severity Score (ISS).
Trauma care in traffic accident hospitals should be provided as early as possible after an accident. Patients with severe injuries should be treated at an emergency department within 45 minutes.
Road user type
The number of road traffic accident hospital admissions varies across different road user types, but the trend is similar in both STATS19 and HES. There is a large reduction in casualties for car occupants and pedestrians in 2020, but a substantial increase in pedal cycle casualties.
In addition, the road type affects the severity of injuries. In urban areas, pedestrian paths and traffic lights are common. But outside of cities, poor visibility, inclement weather, and poor road lighting all contribute to the risk of a fatal accident. This makes the quality of prehospital care and hospital care even more critical.
The proportion of road traffic accident hospital admissions by road user type has decreased in recent years. Between 1999 and 2010, the proportion of hospital admissions attributed to road traffic accidents was around 69%. However, the proportion of cases with a MAIS score of 2 or 3 remained relatively stable at around 12%. This trend may be linked to the shift towards work from home and stay-at-home orders. Further analysis of the data is required before firm conclusions can be drawn.
Fracture rate
Fracture rates have decreased since 1990 according to age-standardised fracture rates. In 1990, the rate was higher for males than for females, but has decreased significantly since then. In 2019, the global fracture rate was 178 million, down from 208 million in 1990. This decrease was significant for both sexes.
Fracture rates are highest in older adults. Preventing osteoporosis and eating a healthy diet can reduce the risk of fracture. Other ways to reduce the risk of fractures include providing educational materials and products. In addition, workplace hazards can cause fractures. Therefore, workplaces should be designed to minimize such hazards.
A number of studies have been conducted in this area. The GBD estimates are based on the results of seven follow-up studies, including one from a non-high-income country. These studies report on fracture rates from a variety of injuries. Future rounds of the GBD will include more studies that examine fracture rates in one site. Additionally, researchers are planning to use credible adjustments to account for common outcomes.
In 2019, the top three anatomical sites for fractures were the tibia, ankle, and patella. The second-most common were the hip and pelvis. The age-standardised fracture rates are shown in Figure 2A. Fracture rates are the highest in elderly patients.
Emergency room visits
Emergency room visits to traffic accident hospitals are common. Each year, millions of Americans are treated at these hospitals for injuries caused by a car accident. These injuries often include neck, knee, and hip injuries, as well as internal damage. During these visits, it is important to make sure that you get the correct diagnosis and treatment.
There are several factors that increase the risk of car accidents. The CDC reports that age plays a significant role in the number of emergency room visits in motor vehicle crashes. Drivers younger than 30 years old accounted for 38% of emergency room visits in 2012, while drivers eighty years and older made up one-third of emergency room visits. This is likely because young drivers are more likely to engage in risky behaviors such as speeding and distracted driving. Older drivers are also susceptible to accidents because of slow reflexes and poor eyesight.
Another common reason for ER visits is cuts and contusions, which can occur through any physical activity, including sports. Cuts and contusions are often painful, and require immediate medical attention, particularly if there is severe bleeding. Back-related problems also are common in emergency rooms, including back pain and muscle strains. These can be caused by an accident or physical activity such as lifting heavy objects.
Upon arrival at the hospital, most patients will be evaluated and passed on to another part of the hospital. This will determine the length of time that they will wait to receive treatment. Some patients will complete their treatment at triage, while others will be referred to the emergency room to be treated by a physician.