Original Article

Occupational Injuries Admitted to the Emergency Department

10.5152/jaem.2012.003

  • Bekir Dağlı
  • Mustafa Serinken

Received Date: 04.11.2011 Accepted Date: 28.11.2011 Eurasian J Emerg Med 2012;11(3):167-170

Objective:

In trauma patients who were admitted to the emergency services, occupational accidents have a significant place because of the social problems and high costs effects.

Materials and Methods:

This 18-month period study on patients who were admitted to the Emergency Services in Pamukkale University Hospital were evaluated prospectively.

Results:

During the study 538 occupational accident cases appliedand these cases composed 1.6% of applications to emergency services. The frequency of accidents in the age group 25-34 in male workers was determined and the maximum occurs between 08:00-10:00 hours, Monday (21.0%) and Saturday (17.8) was determined to increase the frequency. The most commonly physically affectedarea was the upper extremity (hand and fingers 65.3%) injuries, and cutting, penetrating and abrasion types injuries were most commonly determined Both workers and the workplace source were noted as reasons for the occupational accidents (62.5%), workers are sourced due to negligence, while the workplace was the source due to not providing protective measures in the first place.

Conclusion:

Most of the injuries associated with occupational accidents result in presentation to Emergency Departments. The data in Emergency Departments may help reveal details of occupational injuries and prevent workplace-related accidents.

Keywords: Occupational accident, trauma, injury, emergency department