Homeless in America: injuries treated in US emergency departments, 2007–2011

Despite being a high-risk population, epidemiological research about injuries among homeless individuals is limited. We sought to describe injury characteristics among individuals identified as homeless in the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS), and to compare them to age- and sex-matched controls. We searched text narratives for all patients with product-related injuries who presented to NEISS emergency departments from 2007 to 2011 to identify homeless cases (N = 268). A random sample of 2680 age- and sex-matched controls was identified for the same time period. The incident location differed between groups, and the mention of substance use was significantly more common among homeless cases than controls. The body part injured differed significantly between cases and controls for all age groups, with the exception of older adults. Among homeless cases, injuries occurred most frequently to the lower extremities, and sprains/strains, contusions/abrasions and burns were most common. Additional research on injury among homeless individuals is warranted in order to identify meaningful preventive strategies for this at-risk population.     

Comparing the characteristics of snowboarders injured in a terrain park who present to the ski patrol,the emergency department or both

Ski patrol report forms are a common data source in ski/snowboard research, but it is unclear if those who only present to the emergency department (ED) are systematically different from those who see the ski patrol. To determine the proportion and characteristics of injured snowboarders who bypass the ski patrol before presenting to the ED, three groups of injured snowboarders were compared: presented to the ED only, ski patrol only and ski patrol and ED. Data were collected from ski patrol Accident Report Forms (ARFs), ED medical records and telephone interviews. There were 333 injured snowboarders (ED only: 34, ski patrol only: 107, both: 192). Ability, time of day, snow conditions or drugs/alcohol predicted ED only presentation. Concussions (RRR: 4.66; 95% CI: 1.83, 11.90), sprains/strains (RRR: 4.22; 95% CI: 1.87, 9.49), head/neck (RRR: 2.90; 95% CI: 1.48, 5.78), trunk (RRR: 4.17; 95% CI: 1.92, 9.09) or lower extremity (RRR: 3.65; 95% CI: 1.32, 10.07) injuries were significantly more likely to present to ski patrol only versus ski patrol and ED. In conclusion, snowboarders who presented to the ED only had similar injuries as those who presented to both.     

学龄前儿童意外伤害流行病学特征及预防对策研究

伤害使儿童、青少年早死或残疾,给家庭和社会带来巨大负担,早死人数的多寡直接影响到人口平均期望寿命的高低.为了解学龄前儿童意外伤害流行病学特征并提出预防干预对策,对武汉市部分城区学龄前儿童意外伤害的发生进行了现场调查研究.经统计分析,儿童的行为特点与意外伤害的发生均存在密切联系;伤害的类型以摔碰伤、车祸、坠落伤及切割伤居前四位.在调研基础上提出了干预和控制学龄前儿童意外伤害的对策.     

Screening and brief interventions for substance use in emergency departments in the Western Cape province of South Africa: views of health care professionals

As part of the formative phase of screening and brief interventions (SBIs) for substance use amongst patients presenting for emergency services in South Africa, the present study explored health care providers’ attitudes and perceptions towards SBI. Twenty-four health care providers working in two 24-hour emergency departments (EDs) were interviewed using an open-ended semi-structured interview schedule designed to identify factors that may hinder or promote the implementation of SBI for substance use in these settings. All respondents felt that screening patients for substance use in EDs is possible; however, they emphasised the need for an additional staff member dedicated to these activities. Secondly, they felt this dedicated individual should meet certain educational criteria and be from a specific socio-demographic background in order to increase the likelihood of intervention uptake. Thirdly, a number of patient- and clinic-level barriers were revealed that could potentially hinder the successful implementation of SBIs in EDs.     

A qualitative analysis of factors associated with user acceptance and rejection of a new workplace information system in the public sector: a conceptual model

This study examines the factors that lead employees to endorse or resist the introduction of a new information system (IS). Findings suggest that attitudes toward adopting IS are related to psychological characteristics of the potential adopters, including, open‐mindedness, self‐efficacy, interest in the information and communication technology, and time remaining before retirement. Also figuring prominently in influencing attitudes are the end‐users' perceptions and expectations with respect to project management, IS quality, IS usefulness, and its effects on organizational positions, work organization, performance, skills, jobs, and worker health. Finally, user attitudes also relate to features of change management practices, including leadership, training, support, recognition, communication, and participation. An integrative conceptual model of IS user adoption is proposed and suggestions for future research are offered. Copyright © 2008 ASAC. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.