FARM-RELATED INJURY PRESENTING TO AN AUSTRALIAN BASE HOSPITAL

ABSTRACT Objective: Data concerning farm‐related injuries were collected from the Emergency Department at Tamworth Base Hospital over a 12‐month period from 1 September 1997. Aim of study: The aim of the study was to collect information at a local level to establish baselines with a view to developing prevention strategies. All people who presented with a farm injury or illness to the emergency department participated in the study. Results: During this period there were 384 injuries, of which nearly three‐quarters were males (72.2%). Four injuries were fatal. The average rate of injury per 100 farms per annum in the service area of the Hospital was 30 per 100 farms (range 9–80 per 100 farms, per annum). Half (54.1%) of the people injured were employed at the time of the injury. Horses (21.1%) and motorcycles (15.8%) were the two most common injury agents. Conclusion: The information gained can be used to direct injury prevention at a local level and may be also used at the national level as a guide when grouped with other similar studies of different commodity groups.