General Surgical Registrar, Whangārei Hospital, New Zealand.
Senior Solicitor, Henderson Reeves, Whangārei, New Zealand.
N Z Med J. 2021 Aug 13;134(1540):56-63.
Nail guns are commonly used in the construction industry. They represent an occupational hazard, and in the context of mental illness can pose a threat to life.
To determine the number of patients admitted to Auckland City Hospital (ACH) with a nail gun injury, and to review the current New Zealand legislation surrounding nail guns.
A 25-year retrospective review of patients admitted to ACH with a nail gun injury was performed by searching the ACH Trauma Registry. New Zealand legislation was reviewed.
Between 1994 and 2019, 45 patients were admitted to ACH with a nail gun injury. Two subgroups were identified: 31% with an intentional injury; 69% with an unintentional injury. All patients were male. The mean age was 36.3. Patients with an intentional injury had a higher mortality rate (21.4% vs 9.5%), Injury Severity Scores (24.2 vs 3.4) and ICU admission rate (50% vs 3%) and required more intensive post-injury care when compared to unintentional injuries. There is currently no legislation in New Zealand specifically governing the use of nail guns. Only powder-actuated nail guns require certification.
The continued occurrence of unintentional nail gun injuries and the high lethality of intentional injuries represent two distinct areas of concern. The Government should publish guidance aimed at improving safety and reducing the rate of intentional injury.
钉枪在建筑行业中被广泛使用。它们代表了一种职业危害,在精神疾病的背景下,可能对生命构成威胁。
确定因钉枪受伤而入住奥克兰城市医院(ACH)的患者人数,并审查新西兰目前有关钉枪的立法。
通过搜索 ACH 创伤登记处,对因钉枪受伤而入住 ACH 的患者进行了 25 年的回顾性研究。审查了新西兰的立法。
1994 年至 2019 年间,有 45 名患者因钉枪受伤而入住 ACH。确定了两个亚组:31%为故意受伤;69%为非故意受伤。所有患者均为男性。平均年龄为 36.3 岁。有故意受伤的患者死亡率(21.4%比 9.5%)、损伤严重程度评分(24.2 比 3.4)和 ICU 入院率(50%比 3%)更高,并且与非故意受伤相比,需要更密集的伤后护理。目前新西兰没有专门针对钉枪使用的立法。只有粉末驱动的钉枪需要认证。
持续发生的非故意钉枪受伤和故意受伤的高致命性代表了两个值得关注的领域。政府应发布旨在提高安全性和降低故意受伤率的指南。