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Ice skating injuries: can they be reduced or prevented?
1Basingstoke District Hospital, Hampshire, England.
Insights
Ice rink injuries led to 469 emergency visits in the first year. Reducing injuries may require protective gear and restricting alcohol sales at the facility.
Area of Science:
- Sports Medicine
- Public Health
- Trauma Care
Background:
- The establishment of a new ice rink led to an increase in local Accident and Emergency (A&E) attendances.
- Understanding injury patterns and risk factors associated with ice rink activities is crucial for public safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the types and frequency of injuries sustained by ice rink patrons.
- To identify potential risk factors, including alcohol consumption, contributing to ice rink injuries.
- To evaluate the trend of A&E attendances related to the ice rink over its first year of operation.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of all Accident and Emergency department attendances linked to the ice rink over one year.
- Data collection included injury type, severity, admission status, need for surgery, and alcohol consumption.
- Calculation of injury rates per 1000 rink visits to assess trends.
Main Results:
- A total of 469 A&E attendances were recorded, with 108 significant injuries.
- Thirty-seven patients required admission, and 33 underwent surgery under general anaesthesia.
- Alcohol consumption at the rink's bar was reported by 30 individuals, 9 of whom sustained fractures.
- The rate of A&E attendances per 1000 rink visits showed a declining trend over the study period.
Conclusions:
- Ice rink activities can lead to a significant number of A&E attendances, including severe injuries requiring admission and surgery.
- Alcohol consumption appears to be a risk factor for more severe injuries, such as fractures.
- Recommendations include promoting the use of protective clothing, reconsidering alcohol sales, and enhancing first aid provision.
Abstract:
The opening of an ice rink resulted in 469 attendances at the local Accident and Emergency department over the first year. One hundred and eight had a significant injury. Thirty-seven patients were admitted. Thirty-three required an operation under general anaesthesia. Thirty had consumed alcohol at the rink's bar. Nine of these had a fracture. The number of skates attending the Accident and Emergency department per 1000 visits to the rink declined over the study period. Injuries could be reduced if protective clothing was worn. Alcohol should not be sold at the rink. First aid although effective could be improved.