Joseph D Forrester1, Kenneth Tran2, Lakshika Tennakoon3, Kristan Staudenmayer3. 1. Divisions of General Surgery (Drs Forrester and Staudenmayer, and Ms. Tennakoon). Electronic address: jdf1@stanford.edu. 2. Vascular Surgery (Dr Tran), Department of Surgery, Stanford University, Stanford, CA. 3. Divisions of General Surgery (Drs Forrester and Staudenmayer, and Ms. Tennakoon).
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Rock climbing and mountaineering are popular outdoor recreational activities. More recently, indoor climbing has become popular, which has increased the number of persons at risk for climbing-related injuries. The purpose of this study was to assess the morbidity, mortality, and healthcare cost due to climbing-related injury among persons presenting to US emergency departments (ED). METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of the 2010 to 2014 National Emergency Department Sample database, a nationally representative sample of all visits to US EDs. Rock climbing, mountain climbing, and wall climbing injuries were identified using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification codes (E004.0). Outcomes evaluated included morbidity, mortality, inpatient admission, and costs. Adjusted analyses accounting for survey methodology were performed. RESULTS: A weighted-estimate 15,116 adult ED visits were associated with climbing-related injury. Patient age was 32.8±14.7 (mean±SD) (95% CI: 32.1-33.5) y, and 62% of patients were male. The majority of the injuries occurred in the Western census region (9593; 63%). Less than 1% of all climbing-related visits resulted in death. Only of injury severity score >15 was associated with death (P = 0.005). A total of 1610 (11%) of patients were admitted as inpatients. Accounting for ED and inpatient costs, climbing-related injuries cost the US healthcare system approximately $102 (95% CI: $75-130) million USD for the 5-y period, averaging $20±9.5 million USD per y. CONCLUSIONS: Most persons with climbing-related injuries presenting to EDs do not require inpatient admission. Although death is rare among patients with climbing-related injuries, the costs of injuries in survivors remain high.
INTRODUCTION: Rock climbing and mountaineering are popular outdoor recreational activities. More recently, indoor climbing has become popular, which has increased the number of persons at risk for climbing-related injuries. The purpose of this study was to assess the morbidity, mortality, and healthcare cost due to climbing-related injury among persons presenting to US emergency departments (ED). METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of the 2010 to 2014 National Emergency Department Sample database, a nationally representative sample of all visits to US EDs. Rock climbing, mountain climbing, and wall climbing injuries were identified using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification codes (E004.0). Outcomes evaluated included morbidity, mortality, inpatient admission, and costs. Adjusted analyses accounting for survey methodology were performed. RESULTS: A weighted-estimate 15,116 adult ED visits were associated with climbing-related injury. Patient age was 32.8±14.7 (mean±SD) (95% CI: 32.1-33.5) y, and 62% of patients were male. The majority of the injuries occurred in the Western census region (9593; 63%). Less than 1% of all climbing-related visits resulted in death. Only of injury severity score >15 was associated with death (P = 0.005). A total of 1610 (11%) of patients were admitted as inpatients. Accounting for ED and inpatient costs, climbing-related injuries cost the US healthcare system approximately $102 (95% CI: $75-130) million USD for the 5-y period, averaging $20±9.5 million USD per y. CONCLUSIONS: Most persons with climbing-related injuries presenting to EDs do not require inpatient admission. Although death is rare among patients with climbing-related injuries, the costs of injuries in survivors remain high.
Authors: Joseph D Cooper; Max N Seiter; Joseph J Ruzbarsky; Ricky Poulton; Grant J Dornan; Eric K Fitzcharles; Charles P Ho; Thomas R Hackett Journal: Orthop J Sports Med Date: 2022-02-11
Authors: Simon Rauch; Bernd Wallner; Mathias Ströhle; Tomas Dal Cappello; Monika Brodmann Maeder Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2019-12-27 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Christopher Rugg; Laura Tiefenthaler; Simon Rauch; Hannes Gatterer; Peter Paal; Mathias Ströhle Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2020-10-19 Impact factor: 3.390