Department of Emergency Medicine and Services, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
Scand J Trauma Resusc Emerg Med. 2022 Nov 8;30(1):57. doi: 10.1186/s13049-022-01042-0.
The incidence of electric scooter (e-scooter) injuries has increased drastically in numerous countries after widespread availability of shared e-scooters. The economic impact on society from a broader perspective has not been studied. We aimed to estimate the incidence of e-scooter injuries, describe the injury patterns, and estimate the costs of e-scooter injuries.
We performed a retrospective cohort study including all e-scooter-related injuries presented in the three adult emergency departments in Helsinki in 2021. We collected the patient data from the university hospital information system. Injury severity was evaluated based on the Abbreviated Injury Score. The cost of the hospital treatment was analyzed based on our hospital district's service price listing. In addition, we recorded the total amount of sick leave days and estimated their economic impact.
In total, 446 e-scooter injuries were identified and taken into the analysis (434 affecting riders and 12 non-riders). The median age of the patients was 26 (IQR 22-33), and 59% were male. 257 (58%) of the of the injuries were minor, whereas 155 (35%) were moderate, 30 (7%) serious, 3 (0.7%) severe, and one (0.2%) critical. Furthermore, 220 (49%) of the patients sustained head injuries. A major spike in accident incidence was seen during the weekend (Friday to Sunday) nights, accompanied by a proportional increase in patients with alcohol intoxication. Including both the costs of the hospital care and absence from work, the approximated total cost of e-scooter injuries was 1.7 million euros, with a median cost of a single accident being 1148 euros (IQR 399-4263 €).
Considerable number of the injuries are moderate, severe, or worse. Comprehensive preventive measures must be conducted to decrease the incidence of e-scooter injuries. The use of helmets should be strongly encouraged to prevent severe head injuries. The nighttime bans during weekends and speed limits on e-scooters appear to be justifiable.
在许多国家，随着共享电动滑板车的广泛普及，电动滑板车（e-scooter）事故的发生率急剧上升。从更广泛的角度来看，其对社会造成的经济影响尚未得到研究。我们旨在评估电动滑板车事故的发生率，描述事故的受伤模式，并估算电动滑板车事故的相关成本。
我们进行了一项回顾性队列研究，纳入了 2021 年赫尔辛基 3 家成人急诊室所有与电动滑板车相关的损伤。我们从大学医院信息系统中收集患者数据。损伤严重程度基于简明损伤评分进行评估。根据我们医院所在地区的服务价格清单，分析了住院治疗费用。此外，我们记录了总病假天数并估算了其经济影响。
共确定并纳入 446 例电动滑板车损伤患者进行分析（434 例影响骑手，12 例不影响骑手）。患者的中位年龄为 26 岁（IQR 22-33），59%为男性。257 例（58%）损伤为轻度，155 例（35%）为中度，30 例（7%）为严重，3 例（0.7%）为重度，1 例（0.2%）为极重度。此外，220 例（49%）患者存在头部损伤。事故发生率在周末（周五至周日）夜间出现显著高峰，同时伴有酒精中毒患者比例的相应增加。包括住院治疗费用和缺勤损失在内，电动滑板车损伤的预估总成本为 170 万欧元，单次事故的中位成本为 1148 欧元（IQR 399-4263 欧元）。
相当数量的损伤为中度、重度或更严重程度。必须采取全面的预防措施来降低电动滑板车事故的发生率。应大力鼓励使用头盔，以防止严重的头部损伤。夜间周末禁止使用电动滑板车和限速似乎是合理的。
