E-scooter Related Presentations to an Urban Trauma Centre: A Two-Year Analysis of Patient Volume, Injury Patterns, and Healthcare Burden

Abstract

Aims
E-scooters are increasingly popular, offering convenience and environmental benefits but also contributing a significant healthcare burden. We aimed to quantify the impact of e scooter-related injuries on healthcare resources at the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital in Dublin, Ireland, over a two-year period.

Methods
A retrospective chart review was conducted for patients over the age 16 presenting with e scooter-related trauma from 01/07/2021 to 30/06/2023. Data included demographics, mechanisms, investigations, interventions and outcomes. Descriptive statistics were applied.

Results
The study included 380 patients, 259 (68.2%) male and predominantly aged 20-39 years (59%), 351 (92.3%) were riders. A significant proportion 143 (37.6%) triaged as "Very Urgent". Cumulative Patient Experience Time in the Emergency Department totalled 2,813 hours, averaging 7.4 hours. Radiological investigations required, 831 x-rays (2.2 per patient) and 282 CT scans (0.7 per patient). Fifty-three (13.9%) patients required admission, 43 (11.3%) underwent surgery. These patients accounted for 294 inpatient days, including 39 days in critical care. A total of 168 (44.2%) patients required outpatient follow-up. We recorded one fatality.

Discussion
E-scooter-related injuries present a growing challenge to healthcare. The increasing trend of presentations and the resource utilisation underscore the need for regulation to manage e-scooter-related trauma effectively. Further research and policy development are essential to mitigate the healthcare burden and ensure safety.