Snowmobile injuries in Utah.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the epidemiology of snowmobile injuries in Utah.

METHODS

Analysis of probabilistically linked statewide emergency department (ED), hospital admission, and death certificate data for 1996 and 1997.

RESULTS

There were 625 cases of snowmobile-related injuries. The majority (83%) were evaluated in the ED only. Median ED patient age was 29 years (range 3-74 years), and 66% were male. The leading diagnoses were open wounds to the head (7.8%), back strains (5.4%), and contusions of the trunk and lower extremities (5.2% and 5.0%, respectively). An Injury Severity Score (ISS) of > or = 4 (range 1-75) was found in 37% of the ED patients. The median charge was $373 per patient, with two-year cumulative charges of $266,283. One hundred seven patients required inpatient hospital care. Median inpatient age was 32 years (range 4-92 years), and 60% were male. Leading inpatient diagnoses were fracture of the vertebral column (9.3%), lower extremity fracture (9.3%), upper extremity fracture (6.5%), and pelvis fracture (3.7%). An ISS of > or = 4 (range 1-38) was found in 70% of the hospitalized patients. Average length of stay was 3 days, with a range of 1 to 68 days. Median inpatient charge was $6,003 per patient, with two-year cumulative charges of $1,333,218. Ten inpatients required transfer for rehabilitation or skilled nursing care. There were a total of six fatalities, three of which occurred in the ED, one in the inpatient population, and two identified from the death certificate database.

CONCLUSIONS

By combining ED, inpatient, and death certificate data sets, probabilistic linkage provides a comprehensive description of snowmobile-related injuries and a baseline evaluation of morbidity, mortality, and financial burden.