MP29: Did the Canadian Pediatric Society policy statement in 2007 impact trampoline-related injuries in Halifax, Nova Scotia?

Abstract

Introduction: The Canadian Hospitals Injury Reporting and Prevention Program (CHIRPP) found a significant rise in trampoline-related injuries from 1999-2005, many of which required hospitalization. In 2007 and again in 2013, the Canadian Pediatric Society (CPS) recommended against the recreational use of trampolines at home. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of this policy statement on trampoline-related injuries in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Methods: Trampoline injury data was obtained from the CHIRPP database at the IWK Health Centre, the paediatric referral hospital for the Maritimes. The data was stratified according to the timing of the CPS policy statement (before: 2001-2006, after: 2008-2013 and after reaffirmation 2013-2015). Data variables included mechanism, site, nature and context of injury. The data were evaluated using SPSS and chi-squared tests. Results: Since the 2007 CPS policy statement, an average of 162 per 10,000 ED visits at the IWK Health Centre were the result of trampoline-related injuries compared to 95 per 10,000 pre-policy. The majority of injuries (76-80%) occurred in children 5-14 years of age. Recreational use at home in the yard was the most common location of the accident (78-88%), with most injuries occurring on the trampoline mat itself (83-85%) due to incorrect landing (32-35%), falls (21-27%), or being struck by a person or object (24-25%). Soft tissue injuries (15-17%), sprains (19-22%) or fractures (40-46%) to the elbow (11-12%), forearm (5-9%) or ankle (19-21%) continued to be the most common nature and sites of injuries. The injury data before compared to after the CPS policy statement did not differ significantly in gender, the mechanism of injury, the type of injury, or body part involved (p-value >0.05). There was a significant difference in the number of injuries between age groups post-policy, with more occurring in children less than 4 and between the age of 10-14 (p<0.009). Moreover, where the trampoline injury was located was also significantly different post-policy with more injuries occurring in sports/recreational facilities (p<0.001). Conclusion: Trampolining is a high-risk activity with injuries occurring predominantly in children and youth. Despite the recommendations brought forth by the CPS, trampoline-related injuries remain an important source of pediatric injuries at the IWK Health Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia.