THE ROLE OF THE HEALTHCARE TEAM IN PREVENTING INJURIES FROM TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS IN EMERGENCY UNITS.

Abstract

Introduction: The number of motorcycles, scooters and mopeds had a huge increase in Brazil, reaching 27 million in circulation in 2018. In the city of the present study, in the same year, these vehicles reached the figure of 93 thousand, or 19.3% of the vehicle fleet. This expansion has led to an increase in the number of road accidents involving these vehicles. Objectives: To characterize victims of motorcycle accidents treated at the Regional Emergency Care Unit and describe their injuries. Method: Observational and descriptive study. During the period from August to December 2019 and June to August 2020, demographic data, trauma mechanism, location and severity of injuries and prognosis of patients treated in a regional emergency unit were analyzed. The trauma index (Revised Trauma Score and Injury Severity Index) was applied for severity and prognosis. All data were recorded on standardized forms and statistically evaluated. Results: Of the 98 cases analyzed, 78% were men, with an average age of 31 years. The most common trauma mechanism was motorcycle versus motor vehicle, responsible for 57.1% of cases, followed by falls from motorcycles with 27.6%. The most frequent injuries were scratches (60.4%), followed by fractures (23.1%). The lower limbs were the most affected areas (40.3%). The injury severity index ranged from 0 to 11, with an average of 1, and 97.9% of victims had a revised trauma score of 7.8, with a survival probability of 98.8%. Conclusion: There was a predominance of young people with mild injuries. The most affected areas were the lower limbs, mainly with scratches. Even with low severity and high probability of survival, these injuries can result in long periods of incapacity for work and generate costs for the health system, demonstrating the need for actions to prevent these events.