A study to determine the cost implications of violence related injuries to a radiology department

Authors

  • Sollin Faroo Tygerberg Academic Hospital

Keywords:

Gunshot, stabbings

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:To determine the cost implications of violence-related injuries of patients admitted to the resuscitation unit of an academic hospital by investigating the numbers of radiographic procedures performed over a period of one year. SUBJECTS & METHODS:A retrospective, quantitative study was conducted and data were collected for the period January - December 2004. Injuries inflicted by means of knives, firearms or blunt objects resulted in four hundred and forty three violence-related admissions. RESULTS:The violence-related injuries consisted of 90 gunshots, 188 stab wounds and 165 blunt injuries. Approximately 30% of all admissions were violence-related. A total of 1513 radiographic examinations were performed which resulted in a total public health expenditure of approximately R624 533-00. CONCLUSIONS:The study revealed that a high percentage of admissions in the resuscitation unit are violence-related. Everyeffort should be made by government to address this high incidence of violent injuries by educating people and by creating job opportunities.

Author Biography

Sollin Faroo, Tygerberg Academic Hospital

Senior radiographer, B-Tech Rad (D) Cape Peninsula University of Technology, ND: Radiography (D), (Pen Tech)

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Published

2007-01-23

Issue

Vol. 44 No. 1 (2006)

Section

Original Articles

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