Analysis of agriculture‐related life‐threatening injuries presenting to emergency departments of rural generalist hospitals in Southern Queensland

Abstract

Objective: Agricultural industries are among the most dangerous in Australia posing significant public health risks. This study analyses the nature and management of agriculture-related injuries presenting to EDs in selected hospitals in Southern Queensland. Methods: Data on agricultural injury presentations over a 6 month period was collected at four rural hospitals by a dedicated onsite hospital data coordinator. Additionally, in two of the participating hospitals all injury presentations over the same 6 month period were recorded. A pre-tested survey instrument, modified for rural settings and designed and developed to export the abstracted data using an iPad application was used as the survey tool. Results: The incidence of agriculturerelated injuries was 11% of all injuries, most were males (73%), averaging 40 years. On presentation, 66.5% (n = 234) were categorised as imminently or potentially life threatening with 44% of those patients presenting to hospital ED >3 h after the injury. Large animals were more commonly reported as involved in the aetiology of the presenting injury, particularly using horses and handling cattle. Conclusions: Agricultural injuries are a significant group of primary care presentations to rural hospitals and training and resourcing for rural hospitals should reflect this. A better understanding of common injury types can lead to efficient allocation of available resources in rural hospitals and potentially improve ED practices. The delay in presentation must be considered in response planning both by farmers and hospital EDs.

Profile and risk factors in farmer injuries: a review based on Haddon matrix and 5 E’s risk reduction strategy

“…In the post-event stage, the management of patients depends on the accessibility of public health and medical service facilities. For example, geographical remoteness between healthcare services and farms and limited clinical service capacity at rural hospitals pose disadvantages to farmers’ risk management ( 140 ). Emergency medical services such as Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS), Ground Emergency Medical Service (GEMS), and telehealth play a crucial role in emergency care.…”

“…Therefore, it is crucial for professionals to provide occupational safety and health services or consultation to agricultural workers in order to improve their working conditions and meet relevant standards. Most of all, considerations should be given to both farmers’ acceptance and positive cost-to-benefit ratio when devising effective safety interventions ( 140 ). Meanwhile, it is crucial to prioritize the establishment of evacuation pathways and safe havens in order to mitigate avoidable injuries.…”

Horse and Cattle-Related Trauma: A Retrospective Review of Injuries and Management in a Regional Queensland Hospital

“…Cattle and horse-related trauma are frequent presentations to rural and regional hospitals in Australia [1][2][3], though there is a paucity of domestic literature describing the incidence and patterns of presentation or management. Injuries relating to these animals can be severe or even fatal, and some studies have even paralleled their severity to those seen in high-speed motor vehicle accidents [4,5].…”

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“…Therefore, it is crucial for professionals to provide occupational safety and health services or consultation to agricultural workers in order to improve their working conditions and meet relevant standards. Most of all, considerations should be given to both farmers' acceptance and positive cost-to-benefit ratio when devising effective safety interventions (140). Meanwhile, it is crucial to prioritize the establishment of evacuation pathways and safe havens in order to mitigate avoidable injuries.…”

“…In the post-event stage, the management of patients depends on the accessibility of public health and medical service facilities. For example, geographical remoteness between healthcare services and farms and limited clinical service capacity at rural hospitals pose disadvantages to farmers' risk management (140). Emergency medical services such as Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS), Ground Emergency Medical Service (GEMS), and telehealth play a crucial role in emergency care.…”