Abstract
To estimate the prevalence of motorcycle-related hospitalization in the United States in 2001 and to describe the demographic, clinical, hospital, and financial characteristics associated with these injuries. Cross-sectional analysis of the 2001 Nationwide Inpatient Sample of the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project was conducted in 2003. There were an estimated 30,505 (confidence interval=26,566-34,445) motorcycle-related hospital discharges in 2001. Approximately 62% of cases were aged <30 years, and males accounted for 89% of cases. The most common principal diagnoses were fractures of the lower limb (29.4%), fractures of the upper limb (13.1%), and intracranial injuries (12.3%). The mean length of stay was 5 days, the median hospital charge was $15,404, and the total estimated hospital charges were >$841 million. The majority of patients (56.5%) were admitted to large urban teaching hospitals, and these hospitals accounted for nearly 70% of all hospital charges. Approximately 26% of cases were self-pay or listed public insurance as the expected payer. These findings shed light on the substantial morbidity and financial impact of motorcycle-related injuries. Renewed and strengthened prevention efforts are warranted.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 355-362 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | American journal of preventive medicine |
Volume | 27 |
Issue number | 5 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Dec 2004 |
Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Epidemiology
- Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health