ISSUES AND PURPOSE: To describe patient demographics, injury characteristics, and circumstances of playground injuries in children admitted to Pennsylvania trauma centers and to identify injury prevention strategies. DESIGN AND METHODS: Retrospective, descriptive study of 234 children ages 1 to 18 years sustaining playground-related injuries and whose hospital data were entered into the Pennsylvania Trauma Outcome Study. RESULTS: Most of the injuries occurred between April and September (77%), and noon to 6 P.M. (69%). Falls from playground equipment constituted the highest proportion of incidents (73%). Of 421 injuries (M = 1.8/patient), most were upper extremity (n = 117) and head (n = 110) injuries. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Nurses can advocate for playground safety by teaching children to play safely and recommending age-appropriate equipment and protective surfacing.
ISSUES AND PURPOSE: To describe patient demographics, injury characteristics, and circumstances of playground injuries in children admitted to Pennsylvania trauma centers and to identify injury prevention strategies. DESIGN AND METHODS: Retrospective, descriptive study of 234 children ages 1 to 18 years sustaining playground-related injuries and whose hospital data were entered into the Pennsylvania Trauma Outcome Study. RESULTS: Most of the injuries occurred between April and September (77%), and noon to 6 P.M. (69%). Falls from playground equipment constituted the highest proportion of incidents (73%). Of 421 injuries (M = 1.8/patient), most were upper extremity (n = 117) and head (n = 110) injuries. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Nurses can advocate for playground safety by teaching children to play safely and recommending age-appropriate equipment and protective surfacing.