Elevator related injuries among adults ages 20-64, US 1990-2002

Previous studies have looked at elevator injuries in children and older adults. The purpose of this study is to fill the gap and describe the epidemiology of elevator-related injuries among adults ages 20-64 in the United States between 1990 and 2002. A retrospective analysis of data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission will be performed. Reported cases will be used to project national estimates and rates of elevator-related injuries. Initial analysis shows there were an estimated 55,633 elevator-related injuries. The mean age of the study population was 40.6 years with 60.0% being female. The most frequently injured body part was the upper extremities and cause of injury was an elevator door closing on a body part followed by slip, trips or falls. Of the known locations, most injuries occurred in hospitals (9.7%), or public buildings (5.8%). The leading types of injuries were to soft tissue (72.5%). The overall injury rate per 100,000 population will be calculated. Logistic regression analysis shows that females have the highest odds of having a fracture/dislocation (OR=2.126, 95% CI: 1.99-2.271) and amputation, avulsion or laceration (OR=2.234, CI: 2.098-2.380), while males had higher odds of having soft tissue (OR=1.754, CI: 1.678-1.835) or closed head injuries (OR=2.667, CI: 2.323-3.061). Many injuries in adults ages 20-64 are associated with the elevator dropping or jerking or misalignment of the elevator floor. This study will emphasize areas where prevention activities can be targeted.