Alistair J Chapman1, Rachel Titus2, Hannah Ferenchick1, Alan Davis1, Carlos Rodriguez1. 1. Department of General Surgery, Michigan State University and Grand Rapids Medical Education Partners, 221 Michigan NE Street 200A, Mail Code 106, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA. 2. Department of General Surgery, Michigan State University and Grand Rapids Medical Education Partners, 221 Michigan NE Street 200A, Mail Code 106, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA. Electronic address: rachelatitus@gmail.com.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Michigan repealed a 35-year mandatory helmet law on April 13, 2012. We examined the early clinical impacts at a level 1 trauma center in West Michigan. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study comparing outcomes among motorcycle crash victims in a 7-month period before and after the helmet law repeal. RESULTS: One hundred ninety-two patients were included. After the repeal, nonhelmeted motorcyclists rose from 7% to 29% (P < .01). There was no difference in mortality rate after admission; however, crash scene fatalities increased significantly. Intensive care unit length of stay, mechanical ventilation time, and cost of stay were also higher in the nonhelmeted cohort (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Our study highlights the negative ramifications of repealing a mandatory helmet law. Motorcyclists not wearing helmets increased significantly in a short period of time. Nonhelmeted motorcyclists more frequently died on the scene, spent more time in the intensive care unit, required longer ventilator support, and had higher medical costs.
BACKGROUND: Michigan repealed a 35-year mandatory helmet law on April 13, 2012. We examined the early clinical impacts at a level 1 trauma center in West Michigan. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study comparing outcomes among motorcycle crash victims in a 7-month period before and after the helmet law repeal. RESULTS: One hundred ninety-two patients were included. After the repeal, nonhelmeted motorcyclists rose from 7% to 29% (P < .01). There was no difference in mortality rate after admission; however, crash scene fatalities increased significantly. Intensive care unit length of stay, mechanical ventilation time, and cost of stay were also higher in the nonhelmeted cohort (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Our study highlights the negative ramifications of repealing a mandatory helmet law. Motorcyclists not wearing helmets increased significantly in a short period of time. Nonhelmeted motorcyclists more frequently died on the scene, spent more time in the intensive care unit, required longer ventilator support, and had higher medical costs.
Authors: Patrick M Carter; Lisa Buckley; Carol A C Flannagan; Jessica B Cicchino; Mark Hemmila; Patrick J Bowman; Farideh Almani; C Raymond Bingham Journal: Am J Public Health Date: 2016-11-17 Impact factor: 9.308
Authors: Cody S Olsen; Andrea M Thomas; Michael Singleton; Anna M Gaichas; Tracy J Smith; Gary A Smith; Justin Peng; Michael J Bauer; Ming Qu; Denise Yeager; Timothy Kerns; Cynthia Burch; Lawrence J Cook Journal: Inj Epidemiol Date: 2016-03-07