K. E. Moldowan1, D. R. Fraser1, N. D. Fulkerson1, D. A. Kuhls1 1University Of Nevada School Of Medicine,Division Of Acute Care Surgery,Las Vegas, NV, USA
Introduction:
In 2014, 33,528 scooters were sold across the United States. A recent study conducted in the southeastern region of the United States found that scooter and moped crashes (SMCs) that occurred at night resulted in more severe injuries. However, there were no recently published studies that looked at SMCs in the western region of the United States and furthermore there were no studies in the United States that investigated temporal aspects as they related to SMCs. To understand the safety risks and to guide injury prevention, the objective of this study was to analyze temporal risk factors associated with SMCs in the Las Vegas metropolitan area.
Methods:
We reviewed all patients injured by SMCs admitted to the only Level 1 Trauma Center in Nevada, located in Las Vegas, over an 8-year period from 2006-2013 (n=404). Demographics, hospital utilization data, injury characteristics including Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS), and temporal aspects, based on when the patient was admitted (day versus night, weekday versus weekend, and spring/summer versus autumn/winter), of the crash were analyzed. There were patients with missing data points that were excluded from our analysis. Data was analyzed in SPSS 22 with significance set at p<0.05.
Results:
More than half (54%) of SMC patients were admitted during the day time. Those admitted during the day had: 1) more severe abdominal injuries 2) higher revised trauma scores (RTS), 3) increased Emergency Department Glasgow Coma Scores (ED GCS) (Table 1, p=0.004, p=0.001, p=0.010). Meanwhile, those admitted at night had more severe brain and/or spinal injuries (Table 1, p=0.047). Interestingly, of all patients that were suspected of alcohol consumption, 51% were admitted at night (p<0.001). Those admitted on the weekend had a longer hospital length of stay (HLOS; average: 7.8 vs. 4.8 days) (p=0.014). Additionally, 52% of those admitted to the Intensive Care Unit were admitted during autumn and winter (p=0.012). From our binary logistic regression model, time of day is the strongest predictor for having a brain and/or spinal injury after a SMC, followed by time of week (controlling for age, race, gender, and safety). Those admitted at night and during the weekend are 2.6 and 2.4 times more likely to have a brain and/or spinal injury as a result of the SMC (p=0.031).
Conclusion:
In Las Vegas, there are temporal risk factors associated with SMCs. Weekend admissions resulted in longer HLOSs (p=0.014). Those admitted at night and on a weekend are 2.6 and 2.4 times more likely to have a brain and/or spinal injury (p=0.031). These findings should guide injury prevention efforts and resources.
