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The Epidemiology, Cost, and Occupational Context of Spinal Injuries Sustained While ‘Working for Income’ in NSW: A Record-Linkage Study

Author

Listed:
  • Lisa N. Sharwood

    (Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia
    John Walsh Centre for Rehabilitation Studies, Kolling Institute, St Leonards, NSW 2065, Australia
    Department Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia)

  • Holger Mueller

    (The George Institute for Global Health, Newtown, NSW 2042, Australia)

  • Rebecca Q. Ivers

    (The George Institute for Global Health, Newtown, NSW 2042, Australia
    School of Public Health, University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW 2033, Australia)

  • Bharat Vaikuntam

    (Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia
    John Walsh Centre for Rehabilitation Studies, Kolling Institute, St Leonards, NSW 2065, Australia)

  • Tim Driscoll

    (School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia)

  • James W. Middleton

    (Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia
    John Walsh Centre for Rehabilitation Studies, Kolling Institute, St Leonards, NSW 2065, Australia
    Agency for Clinical Innovation, Chatswood, NSW 2067, Australia)

Abstract

This study aimed to describe the epidemiological characteristics, the occupational context, and the cost of hospitalised work-related traumatic spinal injuries, across New South Wales, Australia. A record-linkage study of hospitalised cases of work-related spinal injury (ICD10-AM code U73.0 or workers compensation) was conducted. Study period 2013–2016. Eight hundred and twenty-four individuals sustained work-related spinal injuries; 86.2% of whom were males and had a mean age of 46.6 years. Falls led to 50% of the injuries; predominantly falls from building/structures, ladders or between levels. Falls occurred predominantly in the construction industry (78%). Transport crashes caused 31% of injuries and 24% in heavy vehicles. Half of all the transport injuries occurred ‘off road’. The external cause was coded as ‘non-specific work activity’ in 44.5% of cases; missing in 11.5%. Acute care bed days numbered at 13,302; total cost $19,500,000. High numbers of work-related spinal injuries occurred in the construction industry; particularly falling from a height. Off-road transport-related injuries were significant and likely unaddressed by ‘on-road’ prevention policies. Medical record documentation was insufficient in injury mechanism and context specificity. Workers in the construction industry or those using vehicles off-road were at high risk of spinal injury, suggesting inefficient systems approaches or ineffective prevention policies. Reducing the use of non-specific external cause codes in patients’ medical records would improve the measurement of policy effectiveness.

Suggested Citation

  • Lisa N. Sharwood & Holger Mueller & Rebecca Q. Ivers & Bharat Vaikuntam & Tim Driscoll & James W. Middleton, 2018. "The Epidemiology, Cost, and Occupational Context of Spinal Injuries Sustained While ‘Working for Income’ in NSW: A Record-Linkage Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-9, September.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:15:y:2018:i:10:p:2121-:d:172228
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    Cited by:

    1. Lisa N. Sharwood & Holger Möller & Jesse T. Young & Bharat Vaikuntam & Rebecca Q. Ivers & Tim Driscoll & James W. Middleton, 2019. "The Nature and Cost of Readmissions after Work-Related Traumatic Spinal Injuries in New South Wales, Australia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(9), pages 1-8, April.

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