A Retrospective Analysis of  Assault Admissions at a Regional Medical College in Jharkhand: Examining Factors that Impact Patient Outcome

Abstract Background: Assault admissions pose a significant burden on healthcare systems worldwide. Understanding factors influencing surgical intervention for assault victims can improve resource allocation and patient care. This study aims to analyze a large dataset of assault admissions at a regional medical college to identify factors associated with surgical management. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of admissions at Sheikh Bhikhari Medical College (SBMCH), Hazaribag, Jharkhand India, between Jan 2023 and December 2023. We reviewed data for over 4,000 admissions and identified 1,339 cases admitted due to assault-related injuries. Logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the association between potential predictors (age category, length of stay, time of admission, and gender) and the likelihood of requiring surgical intervention. SPSS v29.0 was used while a p value of <0.05 was considered as of statistical significance. Result: Assault admissions constituted approximately 30% of the total admissions during the study period. Time of admission significantly impacted the need for surgery. Patients admitted later (off-hours/) had slightly higher odds of requiring referrals. Gender also emerged as a significant predictor. Age category and length of stay did not show statistically significant associations with surgical intervention. Conclusion: This study highlights the high prevalence of assault admissions and the potential influence of time of admission and gender on surgical management. Additionally, the high referral rate to higher centers suggests a need for increased access to neurosurgical services within the region. The challenge of patients leaving against medical advice (LAMA) warrants further investigation. Future research should explore specific injury types requiring surgery and potential gender differences in assault injuries.