Recorded presentation

Kobi Peleg, PhD MPH, Israel Trauma Group, and Limor Aharonson-Daniel, PhD. Israel Center for Trauma and Emergency Medicine Research, Gertner Institute for Epidemiology and Health Services Research, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, 52621, Israel, 972-3-5354252, limorad@gertner.health.gov.il

Background: Israeli civilian population has experienced an escalation of terrorist attacks in recent years. Results: 1661 patients were recorded in the Israeli national trauma registry due to terror-related injury and 55033 due to other trauma between 10/1/2000-6/30/2003. Terror-related victims were young, with 55% between the ages of 15 and 29 years compared to 22% in this age group among the population injured by other (non terror) forms of trauma. The proportion of severe injuries in the terror population was significantly higher, 26% vs 10% in non-terror trauma. 24% of the terror population compared to 7% in non-terror patients had been admitted to the Intensive Care Unit. 21% of terror related patients vs 10% in non-terror patients were hospitalized for more than two weeks. Inpatient mortality in terror patients was 6%, three-folds higher than other trauma (2%). Multiple injuries are more common in terror victims at 54% compared with 23%. Terror victims suffer 8 times more injuries to blood vessels and 4 times more injuries to nerves than other trauma, requiring specialist care. Summary: Terror related injuries are more severe and utilize more hospital resources than non terror related trauma. They are young, implying a great loss of potential healthy life years and potentially long disabled lives. Although the proportion of these patients in the overall population is small, the accumulated workload they create is extensive and the needs they present are unique.

Learning Objectives: