The use of substance increases the severity and hospital costs for scooter injuries

Results

When analyzing data from the national inpatient sample 2016-2021, UCLA researchers found that 25% of the 7350 patients were hospitalized in the event of injuries in the event of injuries such as alcohol, opioids, marijuana and cocaine. Published in The American surgeon, The study also notes that overall scooter hospital stays rose by more than eight times during the 5-year period from 330 to 2705. In addition, the risk of traumatic brain injuries in the group of substance group was almost twice as high as in the non -infected patients. Substance consumption also increased the hospital costs by an average of $ 4,600 per patient.

Effects

While the increase in the popularity of the e-scooter collapsed with a jump in related injuries, the role of substance consumption in these injuries had not been examined before. In view of the increasing prevalence of the substance use in scooter-related injuries, the authors are, according to the authors, that strategies such as helmet sandats, prevention of substance consumption and improvements in the infrastructure are necessary to alleviate these injury risks.

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“In today's landscape of the rapidly growing scooter use, our study shows how substance use for drivers played an important role in the rise of serious, costly and largely avoidable injuries,” said Dr. Areti Tilli, deputy chairman of education in the UCLA department for surgery and the high -ranking author of the study. “Our Study Was Limited to Hospitalized Patients and Thus Likely Underestimates The Current Rate of Injuries. As Urban Centers Continue to Expand Shared Micromobility Systems, The Growing Prevalence of Substance Use Among Scooters Riders Serious Concerne About Riders Safety. Underscore the Urgent Need to Strengthen Safety Regulations, Enforce Helmet Use, and Reduce Substance Use Among Scooter Riders to Prevent Injuries and Promote Safer, More Sustainable Urban Transport.

Authors

Study co authors are Hannah Benharash, Nam Yong Cho, Troy Coaston, Sara Sakowitz, Dr. Saad Mallick and Giselle Porter.