The impact of a temporary ice-rink on an emergency department service.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

A temporary ice-rink opened close to Cork city for 6 weeks from 30 November 2003. During this time, a number of patients presented to the local emergency departments with ice-skating-related injuries. We documented these injuries.

METHODS:

All patients presenting to emergency departments in Cork city with ice-skating-related complaints were included. Information on age and sex, mechanism of injury, diagnosis, follow-up/disposition and ambulance service utilization was recorded.

RESULTS:

One hundred and twenty-five ice-rink-related attendances were reported at Cork emergency departments, representing 1.25% of total attendances. One hundred and twenty-three patients presented with skating-related injuries and two with medical complaints occurring at the ice-rink: 70.8% were female patients and 29.2% were male patients. In the 4-14-year age group, however, 48.5% were girls and 51.5% were boys. Most injuries were directly due to falls; 5.6% were due to skate blades. The commonest site of injury was the upper limb. Fractures and dislocations accounted for 53.9% of injuries, with 20.5% of these requiring orthopaedic admission. Lacerations and digital injuries accounted for 7.1%, with 11% of these required admission for surgery. One minor head injury was reported. 38.1% had soft tissue injuries. Fifteen patients were transported by ambulance. These attendances represented a minimum overall cost of 77,510 euro to the local health service.

CONCLUSIONS:

A temporary ice-rink had a significant impact on local emergency departments. Currently, there is no specific legislation in Ireland relating to public health and safety in ice-rinks. We recommend consultation with local public bodies before opening such facilities, and appropriate regulation.

• Authors: Heather J Clarke, Damien Ryan, Ivor Cullen, Stephen Cusack
• Journal: European journal of emergency medicine : official journal of the European Society for Emergency Medicine (Eur J Emerg Med) Vol. 13 Issue 4 Pg. 204-8 (Aug 2006) ISSN: 0969-9546 [Print] England
• PMID: 16816583 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Multicenter Study)

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Ambulances (statistics & numerical data)
• Child
• Child, Preschool
• Emergency Service, Hospital (economics, statistics & numerical data)
• Female
• Health Care Costs
• Humans
• Ireland (epidemiology)
• Male
• Retrospective Studies
• Skating (injuries)
• Wounds and Injuries (economics, epidemiology, prevention & control)