Citation

Merrild U, Bak S. Accid. Anal. Prev. 1983; 15(1): 41-48.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1983, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

An "icy condition epidemic" has been analyzed in an investigation of patients treated in the casualty department of Odense University Hospital: it was found that the victims were mainly comprised of pedestrians and that the pedestrians had 14 times more injuries than during a normal winter period. Details of the accidents and definition of the high-risk groups were made possible by the routine registration of various data and by means of interviews of the patients. The difference in the risk of various injuries between the icy condition and normal winter periods are given as odds ratios (OR). The frequency of fractures, in comparison to the remainder of the winter period was found to be almost doubled. Fractures comprised 67% of the injuries against a normal 38%. The most pronounced increase was in fractures of the wrist, shoulder and hip with an OR of 3, 6 and 6 respectively. The high-risk group comprised women 50 and over, in contrast to the rest of the winter period where younger men prevailed. The investigation indicates that pedestrians have a need for prophylactic measures including (1) broadcast warnings of icy conditions both on the radio and T.V. on days of high risk, (2) more extensive clearing of the snow, and (3) spreading of sand, and possibly salt, on footpaths and bicycle paths. Specific measures should be launched to help the elderly during such periods, in order that outdoor activities may be cut to a minimum.