A pediatric home care program in London--ten years experience.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Child↗
Biomedical subjects
A B Bergman
Publications and source records attributed to A B Bergman.
Cost estimates for statewide reporting of injuries by E coding hospital discharge abstract data base systems.
A key element in the study of trauma problems is the design and development of adequate and affordable surveillance systems. One proposed method is the use of data available from hospital discharge abstract data base systems. However, surveillance systems based on existing data bases usually do not include codes that can identify the external causes of injuries, a critical limitation of the ability to determine the mechanisms of injuries. One obstacle to adding external cause of injury codes, known as E codes under the International Classification of Diseases, to uniform hospital discharge abstract data base systems is the cost of such a change. This study provided an estimate of the type and size of the costs for one State, based upon a survey of hospitals, information system vendors, and medical records experts. Two categories of the costs involved in adding E codes to hospital discharge abstract data base systems were identified. One-time implementation costs, which include modification of the computerized data base and the coding guidelines used by medical record personnel, average $600 per hospital. Annual costs resulting from increased operating expenses to include E codes average about $600 per hospital, because of the increased workload of coding and entry of the additional data. Adding E codes to hospital discharge abstract data base systems appears to be financially feasible for statewide surveillance of serious injury.
Costs and Cost Analysis↗
Analysis of fatal pedestrian injuries in King County, WA, and prospects for prevention.
Pedestrian fatalities caused by motor vehicles in King County, WA, over a 12-month period were reviewed to examine the potential for prevention by various strategies. Cases were identified through the King County Medical Examiner's Office. Between April 1, 1985, and March 31, 1986, a total of 38 pedestrians died of motor vehicle injuries. The victims were generally children (N = 11), the elderly (N = 13), or intoxicated adults (N = 9). Supervision of the child was inadequate in 64 percent of the children's deaths. The driver was at fault in deaths of seven children, five adults, and three elderly persons. None of the children and only one of the elderly victims was injured at night. The majority of injuries occurred on major thorough-fares; only 16 percent occurred on residential streets. Possible strategies for prevention appear to include improved enforcement of pedestrian right-of-way laws, changes in vehicle design, modification of the environment (particularly in urban areas), and improved training programs for children.
Accident Prevention↗
Strategies of a successful campaign to promote the use of equestrian helmets.
Although the risk of serious head injury for horse riders is higher than for most other sports, few equestrians regularly wear protective headgear. This study indicates that riders are well informed about the need for helmets and that the main reason for nonuse is inadequate helmet design. In particular, riders perceive that existing helmets are uncomfortable, expensive, and inappropriate for some riding styles. Based on these findings, the authors developed strategies to increase usage and incorporated them into a successful program. These strategies included working with manufacturers to develop a low-cost, versatile helmet; efficiently distributing educational literature among the horse riding community; and encouraging individual clubs and equestrian organizations to mandate a helmet policy.
Adolescent↗
Elderly persons' attitudes towards footwear--a factor in preventing falls.
Injuries from falls are the main cause of trauma morbidity that leads to mortality among the elderly. One prevention strategy is to wear sturdy shoes. This study was undertaken to determine the attitudes towards and use of sturdy shoes among older adults. A random sample of persons ages 65 years and older was contacted by phone; 652 completed interviews. Sturdy shoes were worn by 26 percent of persons at the time of the call; more than two-thirds reported wearing such shoes at some time. Barriers to use of sturdy shoes included foot problems, difficulty putting them on, expense, style, and lack of knowledge about their importance. There was no difference in shoe use by the respondents' history of previous falls. The results provide information useful in the development of a program to increase the use of sturdy shoes by this population.
Accidental Falls↗