The incidence and prevalence of nonfatal gunshot wounds in Minnesota

We surveyed a sample of Minnesota hospitals to identify the known incidence of nonfatal gunshot wounds (NF-GSW). Only 12 of the 25 hospitals surveyed used E-codes and were able to retrieve NF-GSW data. Only five hospitals had data dating back to 1991. Ninety-two percent of all known NF-GSW (1,425) occurring in Minnesota from 1991 to 1994 were recorded at the three Level 1 Trauma Centers located in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St Paul. The incidence of NF-GSW patients admitted to these three trauma centers has increased 20% from 1991 to 1994. Sixty percent of the NF-GSW treated in Minneapolis involved residents living in four zip code areas, comprising 30% of the city's population. Recommendations for improved NF-GSW data collection and likely impact on prevention are reviewed.