Major workplace related accidents in Singapore: A major trauma centre's experience.
- Author:
Zhi Xu NG
1
;
Li Tserng TEO
;
Karen T S GO
;
Yen Teng YEO
;
Ming Terk CHIU
Author Information
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- MeSH: Accidents, Occupational; trends; Adult; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Registries; Singapore; epidemiology; Trauma Centers; Trauma Severity Indices; Wounds and Injuries; epidemiology; surgery; Young Adult
- From:Annals of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore 2010;39(12):920-927
- CountrySingapore
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
INTRODUCTIONMajor workplace related accidents pose a significant healthcare resource challenge in Singapore.
MATERIALS AND METHODSOur study looks at the epidemiology of patients who were admitted for workplace related accidents, in a single institution, with an Injury Severity Score of >9.
RESULTSThere were 196 cases of major workplace related accidents admitted between January 2006 and December 2007. The median age of patients admitted was 37 years with a large percentage being males (95.4%) and non-residents (57.1%). The most common ethnic group was Chinese (53.1%) followed by Indians (23.5%). The most common mechanism of injury was fall from height (66.3%) followed by injuries as a result of falling objects at work (21.9%). The percentage of patients who required surgical intervention was 69.9%. Patients admitted for major workplace related accidents had a median length of stay of 5 days in the hospital, a median length of 24 days of medical leave (ML), certifying them unfit for duty and the average cost of stay for each patient was S$11,000.
CONCLUSIONSWe have a better understanding of the epidemiology and socio-economic impact of workplace related accidents through this study. Workplace related accidents result in significant number of man-days lost from work and monetary cost to employers, medical insurance and the hospital. With an improved understanding, we propose methods to prevent and reduce such accidents in future. A direct consequence of which will be the possible reduction of hospitalisation costs and better allocation of healthcare resources in the future.