Conducted by researchers at UCLA, it is the first published study on injuries caused by electric scooters. The shared e-scooters, which can go up to 35 miles per hour, have recently landed in U.S. cities as “pay-as-you-go” vehicles.
The researchers looked at the visits of 249 people treated in ERs between Sept. 1, 2017, and Aug. 31, 2018, of two Los Angeles County facilities: UCLA Medical Center, Santa Monica, and Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center.
The most frequent injuries from e-scooters were head injuries (40 percent), fractures (32 percent) and cuts, sprains or bruises without a fracture (28 percent), the study found.
As many as one-third of patients evaluated called an ambulance. Fifteen people were hospitalized, and two needed treatment in an intensive care unit.
“Standing electric scooters will have a substantial impact on public health given their low cost, popularity and broad accessibility,” study author Joann Elmore, MD, told ABC News.
More articles on patient flow:
How a new technology system helps Texas paramedics avoid dosage errors
Medical care ‘on hold’ for government workers affected by shutdown
Minnesota’s small towns suffer when rural hospitals stop delivering babies
At the Becker's 11th Annual IT + Revenue Cycle Conference: The Future of AI & Digital Health, taking place September 14–17 in Chicago, healthcare executives and digital leaders from across the country will come together to explore how AI, interoperability, cybersecurity, and revenue cycle innovation are transforming care delivery, strengthening financial performance, and driving the next era of digital health. Apply for complimentary registration now.
