The effect of seatbelt use on injury patterns, disposition, and hospital charges for elders

Acad Emerg Med. 2002 Dec;9(12):1411-6. doi: 10.1111/j.1553-2712.2002.tb01611.x.

Abstract

Objective: To study the relationships between seatbelt use and injury patterns, hospital charges, morbidity, and mortality in elder motor vehicle crash victims.

Methods: A retrospective review of individuals at least 65 years old presenting to an urban emergency department (ED) after a motor vehicle crash.

Results: Over a two-year period, 339 patients had documentation of seatbelt use or non-use at the time of the crash. Of these, 241 (71%) patients had been wearing a seatbelt and 98 (29%) had not. Elders not using seatbelts were more likely to require hospitalization (29% unbelted vs. 17% belted) and had a higher mortality rate. Injury patterns were different in the two groups. Emergency department charges were significantly different between belted and unbelted elders ($351 vs. $451, p = 0.01) and head computed tomography (CT) utilization was higher in the unbelted group (25.6% vs 12.7%, p = 0.005).

Conclusions: Improved seatbelt compliance in elders can reduce injuries, hospitalization rates, ED charges, and mortality resulting from motor vehicle crashes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Accidents, Traffic / economics*
  • Accidents, Traffic / statistics & numerical data
  • Aged
  • Female
  • Hospital Charges* / statistics & numerical data
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Rhode Island / epidemiology
  • Seat Belts / economics
  • Seat Belts / statistics & numerical data*
  • Wounds and Injuries / economics*
  • Wounds and Injuries / epidemiology*