Construction of the computerized accident registration system in a casualty department

The main benefit of computerized accident registration systems is that they assist, with the help of multi-dimensional cross-tabulation of variables, in the identification of high injury risk areas in the community. The E code of the International Classification of Diseases has been the traditional means for the causal classification of injuries. The applicability of its abridged version in ambulatory care settings was tested by the development of a classification with 50 accident type categories in the framework of the computerized statistics in a large casualty department treating more than 30 000 new injuries annually. With maximally effective coding, the proportion of the 'Other accidents' category of the E code (E929) of all injuries can be reduced to 10%, but not less than that without its division into subcategories. Obviously, the E code should be further developed, better to meet the needs of ambulatory care. The registration system of this casualty department includes also a 15-category accident place classification, a 3-digit ICD diagnosis as well as demographic and time variables. In order to improve its problem identification power, accident object (agent) should still be added into its variable arsenal.