An evaluation of the national electronic injury surveillance system for use in monitoring nonfatal firearm injuries and obtaining national estimates

Abstract

The death toll from firearm injuries in the United States has doubled over the past three decades. Although the distribution of fatalities from firearms is well documented, very little is known about the occurrence of nonfatal firearm injuries in the United States. This study was designed to assess the use of the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) for obtaining national estimates of nonfatal firearm-related injuries. Currently, 91 hospital emergency departments compose the NEISS system. Records from a stratified random sample of 12 emergency departments were reviewed to determine the proportion of persons with gunshot wounds identified by NEISS personnel. NEISS personnel ascertained 97 of 105 (92.4%; 95% C.I. = 87.3% – 97.5%) persons treated for gunshot wounds in the 12 emergency departments. It is shown that NEISS is an effective surveillance system for surveillance of gunshot wounds and can be used to obtain national estimates.