Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #121011

Friedrich M. von Recklinghausen, MPA, School of Health and Human Services, Walden University, 43 Birchfield Rd., Newbury, NH 03255, 603-490-1251, fvonr001@waldenu.edu and Michelle Duchesne, BS, Health Management & Policy / Public Health, University of New Hampshire, 21 Notre Dame Avenue, Allenstown, NH 03275.

Motor vehicle crashes (MVC's) are a leading cause of traumatic brain injuries (TBI's) in the United States. The purpose of this study was to identify the causes and risks of motor vehicle crash induced traumatic brain injuries in New Hampshire during 2001. The skull is a closed container housing the brain. During a motor vehicle crash, when the head is struck, the brain moves around inside the skull causing injury.

Data from the crash report were linked to data from EMS and inpatient admissions. Data were prepared and linked using CODES 2000 software.

Possible causes of significance between those with and without TBI included driver impairment, safety restraint use, speed, and discharge status. These causes were analyzed for significance. Odds ratios for having a TBI were also analyzed against gender, driver impairment and safety restraint use.

For those transferred, the length of stay was longer (p=0.0453) and inpatient charges were higher (p=0.0382). For those sent to rehabilitation, the length of stay was also longer (p=0.0110) and inpatient charges were also higher (p=0.0004). There is a higher risk for TBI associated with an impaired driver, odds ratio 1.7570 95% C.I. (0.7955, 3.8806) and with exceeding 55 MPH, odds ratio 1.2983 95% C.I. (0.6274, 2.6865).

Those with TBI's surviving to discharge for either a transfer or rehabilitation can expect higher cost and lengths of stay. Being with an impaired driver and speeding appear to be risks for TBI in contrast to non-TBI injuries.

Learning Objectives:

• 1.List the indicators that change the length of stay or inpatient charges.
• 2.Articulate how these factors impact traumatic brain injury patients.
• 3.Develop strategies to control traumatic brain injuries in motor vehicle crashes

Keywords: Motor Vehicles, Injuries

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.