Farm injury hospitalisations in New South Wales (2010 to 2014)

Abstract

Objective: To examine gender differences in the characteristics, treatment costs and health outcomes of farm injuries resulting in hospitalisation of New South Wales (NSW) residents. Method: A population‐based study of individuals injured on a farm and admitted to hospital using linked hospital admission and mortality records from 1 January 2010 to 30 June 2014 in NSW. Health outcomes, including injury severity, hospital length of stay (LOS), 28‐day readmission and 30‐day mortality were examined by gender. Results: A total of 6,270 hospitalisations were identified, with males having a higher proportion of work‐related injuries and injuries involving motorbikes compared to females. Females had a higher proportion of equestrian‐related injuries. There were no differences in injury severity, with around 20% serious injuries, in mean LOS or 28‐day hospital re‐admission. Treatment costs totalled $42.7 million, with males accounting for just under 80% of the total. Conclusions: There are some gender differences in the characteristics of farm injury‐related hospitalisations. Farm injury imposes modest, but nonetheless relatively considerable, financial costs on hospital services in NSW. Implications for public health: Continued efforts to ameliorate these injuries in a farm environment, which are mainly preventable, will have personal and societal benefits.

Upper Limb’s Injuries in Agriculture: A Systematic Review

“…Overall, about one-third of agricultural accidents involved the upper extremity ( Figure 3) [6]. As reported also in the international literature, upper limb's injuries occurring in the farm environment can be very serious, resulting in a relevant loss of working days, often leading to amputation of at least one finger and sometimes to permanent disability [7][8][9]. In this scenario, sustainability in agriculture must be considered as a key factor for its development, with the major climate changes and the challenges of the global market [10,11].…”

“…Overall, about one-third of agricultural accidents involved the upper extremity ( Figure 3) [6]. As reported also in the international literature, upper limb's injuries occurring in the farm environment can be very serious, resulting in a relevant loss of working days, often leading to amputation of at least one finger and sometimes to permanent disability [7][8][9]. In 2018, the hands were the most affected body part, which sustained an injury (20.5%), followed by the ankle (11.5%), knee (10.7%), wrist (4.7%), eyes (4.6%), foot (4.3%), and elbow (2.1%).…”

Farm injury resulting in hospital admission: a review of farm work and non-farm work-related injury

“…Our findings around farming-related injuries confirm those from international studies, in terms of the most common mechanisms for injury being agricultural machinery (including vehicles), interaction with livestock and falls. 3,7,8,[17][18][19][20][21][22] Our study has identified some high-risk mechanisms for injury, regardless of whether individuals were undertaking a farming activity or not. In summary, some of the key risks in the Midland region are for:…”

Child Farm-Related Injury in Australia: A Review of the Literature

“…Since the 1980s, children on farms have been recognised in academic literature as a population that is particularly vulnerable to farm-related injury [ 38 ]. Despite research mentioning child farm-related non-fatal injuries [ 39 , 40 , 41 ], there is yet to be comprehensive research examining this in Australia. To date, most non-fatal injury research has concentrated on the state of New South Wales, limiting its validity (and the validity of proposed prevention measures) across the wider Australian context.…”