The potential of emergency department injury surveillance data: an illustration using descriptive analysis of data in 0-4 year olds from the Bath injury surveillance system.

Abstract

To illustrate the potential of injury surveillance data from an emergency department surveillance system. Bath clinical area. Data for children (0-4 years old) resident in Bath city in UK were recoded and analysed. There were a total of 3144 attendances and 2300 unintentional injuries - equivalent to an attendance rate of 131/1000. There were 91 thermal injuries and 162 poisoning/ingestions. Descriptive information is presented on the circumstances and consequences. The majority of unintentional injuries in 0-4 year olds occur in the home, which is a modifiable environment. Detailed information around the circumstances available from the Bath injury surveillance system allows better focus for prevention messages and priority setting.