Surveillance and identification of risk factors for work-related trauma, 2011

Background: Statewide surveillance of work-related trauma hospitalizations typically relies on the expected payer source of “workers' compensation” and is characterized by diagnosis, external cause of injury, and demographics; industry, occupation, and drug use is lacking. The present study identified work-related trauma cases and risk factors using these field variables not typically available within hospitalization discharge data. Methods: A descriptive analysis of 2011 Kentucky Trauma Registry cases was performed using two work-relatedness selection criteria: 1) work-related indicator marked “yes”; and 2) expected payer source of workers' compensation. Results: There were 401 work-related trauma hospitalizations identified using both criteria; the use of only workers' compensation identified 320 work-related hospitalizations (80%). The highest numbers of trauma cases were in the other services (n=89) and construction industries (n=40). Falls (n=110) and machinery (n=80) were the most frequent causes of injury. Twenty-eight of the 39 motor vehicle collision cases utilized vehicle occupant restraints (72%). Of the 128 drug-tested trauma cases, prescription drugs were identified in 57 (45%) and illegal drugs were identified in 22 (17%). Demographic analysis revealed that 88% were male, 44% were 35-54 years of age, and 91% were white; 5% were Hispanic. Arrival to the hospital by ground ambulance accounted for 66% of cases, and 18% arrived by helicopter. Conclusions: Comprehensive statewide surveillance of work-related trauma should include Trauma Registry data in addition to death, hospitalization, emergency department, and workers' compensation data. Drug-free workplace policies and fall prevention programs should be established and/or implemented in the construction and other services industries.