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Retail Store-Related Traumatic Injuries in Paediatric and Elderly Populations

Publication ,  Journal Article
DeMers, G; Lynch, C; Vilke, G
Published in: Journal of Paramedic Practice
November 4, 2011

Retail stores are often frequent sources of emergency medical service (EMS) calls responding to traumatic injuries. At risk populations for trauma due to falls are paediatric and elderly persons. Methods: the authors reviewed the English literature for incidence and outcomes of EMS response to retail store injuries in paediatric and elderly populations. Articles were chosen based on EMS response and emergency department (ED) visits for age ranges younger than 18 and older than 65. Injury patterns and mechanism of injury were reviewed and alcohol or assault related injuries were excluded from analysis. Results: 22 relevant articles from 5 countries, with the majority of studies from the US, were found; these included 7 descriptive national surveillance database reviews, 4 retrospective record reviews, 4 randomized trials, a survey based study, with the remainder case reports and editorials. Modes of conveyance are the sources for majority of injuries including trauma from the use of shopping carts, stairs, escalators, and elevators. Other areas of injury include trip hazards. Falls are the most common mechanism of injury for both populations and account for more than half of injuries associated with store environments. The use of safety devices and efforts to reduce injury risk are not universal in the retail industry and interventions have variable efficacy. Conclusion: retail stores are common settings responded to by paramedics for paediatric and elderly traumatic injuries. Scene management and extrication of injured persons is an issue for EMS personnel responding to these settings, with methods tailored to injury mechanism. There are several avenues for intervention with the focus on injury prevention though community education.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Journal of Paramedic Practice

DOI

EISSN

2041-9457

ISSN

1759-1376

Publication Date

November 4, 2011

Volume

3

Issue

11

Start / End Page

632 / 336

Publisher

Mark Allen Group

Related Subject Headings

  • 4206 Public health
  • 3202 Clinical sciences
  • 1117 Public Health and Health Services
  • 1103 Clinical Sciences
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
NLM
DeMers, G., Lynch, C., & Vilke, G. (2011). Retail Store-Related Traumatic Injuries in Paediatric and Elderly Populations. Journal of Paramedic Practice, 3(11), 632–336. https://doi.org/10.12968/jpar.2011.3.11.632
DeMers, Gerard, Catherine Lynch, and Gary Vilke. “Retail Store-Related Traumatic Injuries in Paediatric and Elderly Populations.” Journal of Paramedic Practice 3, no. 11 (November 4, 2011): 632–336. https://doi.org/10.12968/jpar.2011.3.11.632.
DeMers G, Lynch C, Vilke G. Retail Store-Related Traumatic Injuries in Paediatric and Elderly Populations. Journal of Paramedic Practice. 2011 Nov 4;3(11):632–336.
DeMers, Gerard, et al. “Retail Store-Related Traumatic Injuries in Paediatric and Elderly Populations.” Journal of Paramedic Practice, vol. 3, no. 11, Mark Allen Group, Nov. 2011, pp. 632–336. Crossref, doi:10.12968/jpar.2011.3.11.632.
DeMers G, Lynch C, Vilke G. Retail Store-Related Traumatic Injuries in Paediatric and Elderly Populations. Journal of Paramedic Practice. Mark Allen Group; 2011 Nov 4;3(11):632–336.

Published In

Journal of Paramedic Practice

DOI

EISSN

2041-9457

ISSN

1759-1376

Publication Date

November 4, 2011

Volume

3

Issue

11

Start / End Page

632 / 336

Publisher

Mark Allen Group

Related Subject Headings

  • 4206 Public health
  • 3202 Clinical sciences
  • 1117 Public Health and Health Services
  • 1103 Clinical Sciences