6. Work-Related Trauma and Injury
- Michael I. Greenberg MD, MPH, FAAEM, FACPM, FACOEM
Published Online: 18 FEB 2011
DOI: 10.1002/9781444329629.ch6
Copyright © 2011 Blackwell Publishing Ltd
Book Title
Occupational Emergency Medicine
Additional Information
How to Cite
Saks, M. and Rahaman, B. A. (2011) Work-Related Trauma and Injury, in Occupational Emergency Medicine (ed M. I. Greenberg), Wiley-Blackwell, Oxford, UK. doi: 10.1002/9781444329629.ch6
Editor Information
Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
Publication History
- Published Online: 18 FEB 2011
- Published Print: 11 FEB 2011
ISBN Information
Print ISBN: 9781405180719
Online ISBN: 9781444329629
- Summary
- Chapter
- References
Keywords:
- work-related trauma;
- acute traumatic injury;
- cumulative trauma disorders;
- workplace violence;
- crush injury;
- trench collapse;
- fall from height;
- Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA);
- “Privacy Rule,” work-related injury epidemiological patterns
Summary
Each year in the United States more than 3 million patients with work-related trauma or injury are treated in hospital emergency departments. It is estimated that a work-related traumatic event or injury leads to a worker being temporarily or permanently disabled every 10 s; work-related trauma and injury account for approximately 6,000 deaths annually. These figures have only slowly declined during the past decade despite advances in workplace safety programs and increased awareness of workplace injuries. Nonfatal work-related injuries vary in severity from self-limited, easily managed minor strains and sprains to multiorgan system trauma that requires activation of trauma systems, advanced resuscitation, and long-term hospitalization and rehabilitation. Work-related traumatic events may result in more than one worker being brought to the emergency department. In such circumstances, it is helpful to keep in mind the principles that govern the emergency care of injured workers.