The epidemiology of work-related injury admissions to hospitals in the Midland region of New Zealand

Publication date: Available online 22 September 2017
Source:Injury
Author(s): Bridget Kool, Shanthi Ameratunga, Nina Scott, Ross Lawrenson, Grant Christey
ObjectiveTo describe the epidemiological characteristics of patients with work-related injuries (WRI) admitted to hospitals in New Zealand's Midland Trauma System (MTS) during a four year period.MethodsA retrospective review was conducted of trauma registry records for adults (≥15years) admitted to four hospitals in the MTS as a result of WRI between 1 January 2012 and 31 December 2015. We describe the patterns of injury incidence by demographic characteristics, employment industry, mechanism of injury, body regions injured, injury severity score (ISS), month, day and time of injury, duration of hospital stay, domicile District Health Board (DHB), and discharge destination.ResultsThe 2169 WRI trauma admissions, corresponded to an annualised rate of 205.8 per 100,000 workers or 234.3 per 100,000 full time employment employees (FTE). Injury rates were highest among males (238.0 per 100,000 workers) and those aged 15-24 years (227.1 per 100,000 workers), and lowest among Asians (83 per 100,000 workers). The highest injury rates occurred among the 'agriculture/forestry/fishing', 'manufacturing', and 'transport/postal/warehousing' industries. 'Contact with machinery' was the most common mechanism of injury, and the 'extremities or pelvic girdle' the most common body region injured. The in-hospital case fatality rate <0.5%.ConclusionThe predominance of WRI in the 'agriculture/forestry/fishing' industries in the Midland region is consistent with national estimates. The high rate of injuries amongst males, young adults, and Māori requires further exploration.



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