Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-v9fdk Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-08T13:22:42.161Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Major injury associated with all-terrain vehicle use in Nova Scotia: a 5-year review

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 May 2015

Aaron K. Sibley  and
John M. Tallon
Aaron K. Sibley
Affiliation:
Department of Emergency Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS
John M. Tallon*
Affiliation:
Department of Emergency Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre, Halifax, and Provincial Trauma Director, Nova Scotia, and Medical Director, Air Medical Transport Nova Scotia (EHS LifeFlight)
*
Rm. 003, 13th floor, Victoria Building, QE II Health Sciences Centre, Halifax NS B3H 2Y9; fax 902 473-5835, [email protected]

Abstract:

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.
Background:

Riding all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) is a popular recreational activity, with approximately 1.5 million users in Canada. Despite legislation aimed at reducing injury rates, ATV-related incidents remain a major cause of trauma and death. This paper reviews the epidemiology of major injury associated with ATV use in Nova Scotia.

Methods:

The Nova Scotia Trauma Registry was used to identify all adults over age 15 who sustained major ATV-related trauma (Injury Severity Score [ISS] ≥12) within a 5-year period. Demographic variables, temporal statistics, alcohol use, helmet use, injury characteristics and injury outcome variables, including ISS, length of stay (LOS), Glasgow Coma Scale score and discharge status were evaluated.

Results:

Twenty-five patients met the inclusion criteria. Most (92%) were males, and 64% were between 16 and 34 years of age. Most injuries occurred between 1300 hrs and 1900 hrs, 52% occurred on the weekend, and 40% occurred in the spring. The average ISS was 22.1, and injuries to the central nervous system comprised 39% of all major injuries. Alcohol was involved in up to 56% of all incidents, and only 4 patients (16%) were known to be wearing a helmet at the time of injury. Average hospital LOS was 21.6 days.

Interpretation:

ATV-related incidents are a continuing source of major injury. This paper describes the epidemiology of ATV-related major trauma presenting to the sole tertiary care referral centre in one province. Information gained from this study should be used to influence ATV public education programs.

Keywords

all-terrain vehicletraumaepidemiology
Type
EM Advances • Innovations en MU
Information
Canadian Journal of Emergency Medicine , Volume 4 , Issue 4 , July 2002 , pp. 263 - 267
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians 2002

References

1.Percy, EC, Duffey, JP.All-terrain-vehicle injuries: a sport out of control. West J Med 1989;150:296–9.Google ScholarPubMed
2.Rodgers, GB.The characteristics and use patterns of all-terrain vehicle drivers in the United States. Accid Anal Prev 1999;31:409–19.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
3.Rodgers, GB.All-terrain vehicle injury risks and the effects of regulation. Accid Anal Prev 1993;25:335–46.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
4.Kyle, SB, Alder, PW.Report on the 1997 ATV injury survey. Washington (DC): US Consumer Product Safety Commission; April 1998.Google Scholar
5.David, JA.Update of ATV deaths and injuries. Washington (DC): US Consumer Product Safety Commission; 1998.Google Scholar
6.Oakley, H, Walling, S.All-terrain vehicles related trauma in New Brunswick [abstract]. 36th Meeting of the Canadian Congress of Neurological Sciences, Halifax, NS, June 12–16, 2001.Google Scholar
7.Canadian All-Terrain Vehicle Distributors Council. Industry association annual sales report. May 15, 2001.Google Scholar
8.Canadian Institute For Health Information Clinical Registries Minimal Data Set. Toronto (ON): CIHI; Feb 12, 2001.Google Scholar
9.Warda, L, Klassen, TP, Buchan, N, Zierler, A.All-terrain vehicle ownership, use, and self reported safety behaviours in rural children. Inj Prev 1998;4:44–9.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
10.Postl, BD, Moffatt, ME, Black, GB, Cameron, CB.Injuries and deaths associated with off-road recreational vehicles among children in Manitoba. CMAJ 1987;137:297–300.Google ScholarPubMed
11.Pyper, JA, Black, GB.Orthopedic injuries in children associated with the use of off-road vehicles. J Bone Joint Surg [Am] 1988;76:275–84.Google Scholar
12.Allan, DG, Reid, DC, Saboe, L.Off-road recreational motor vehicle accidents: hospitalization and deaths. Can J Surg 1988;3:233–6.Google Scholar
13.DeLisle, A, Laberge-Nadeau, C.Characteristics of three- and four-wheeled all-terrain vehicle accidents in Quebec. Accid Anal Prev 1988;20:357–66.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
14.Baker, SP, O’Neill, B, Haddon, W.The injury severity score: a method for describing patients with multiple injuries and evaluating emergency care. J Trauma 1975;14:187–96.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
15.Puckett, CD.The Educational Annotation of International Classification of Diseases, 9th rev, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM). Reno: Channel Publishing; 1990.Google Scholar
16.Teasdale, G, Jennett, B.Assessment of coma and impaired consciousness: a practical scale. Lancet 1974;2:81–4.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
17.Canadian Institute for Health Information Comprehensive Data Set. Toronto (ON): CIHI; July 27, 2001.Google Scholar
18.Rodgers, GB.The effectiveness of helmets in reducing all-terrain vehicle injuries and deaths. Accid Anal Prev 1990;22:47–58.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
19.Stueland, D, Aldrich, R.All-terrain vehicle injuries in central Wisconsin: a continuing problem. Wis Med J 1991;June:275–8.Google ScholarPubMed
20.Krane, BD, Ricci, MA, Sweeny, WB, Deshmukh, N.All-terrain vehicle injuries: a review at a Level II trauma center. Am Surg 1988;54:471–4.Google Scholar
21.Rivara, FP, Grossman, DC, Cummings, P.Injury prevention [first of two parts]. N Engl J Med 1997;337:543–8.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed