The Examination of Occupational Injuries in the Emergency Department

Aim: While examining the demographic characteristics of injured individuals presenting to the emergency department due to occupational accidents, we also analyzed the types and mechanisms of injuries encountered based on the type of work causing the accident, assessed the adequacy of occupational safety measures, and investigated the patient burden on the emergency department caused by these cases. Emphasis was placed on the possibility of reducing the burden on the emergency department by completing the treatment of some occupational accident patients in occupational health clinics or primary care centers. Material and Methods: We designed the study as a singlecenter, retrospective study. We included trauma cases who presented to the emergency department documented with occupational accident reports using the hospital automation system. Trauma patients aged 18 and above, presenting to the emergency department of a tertiary care and research hospital, were examined between January 1-2022, and December 31-2023. The study population was formed according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results: Within the study, 887 patients were examined, of whom 80.8% were male. The mean age of the patients was 34 years. Penetrating-shearing instrument injury (35.4%) and blunt trauma (35.4%) were the most common injury mechanisms, with lacerations (34.6%) being the most common lesions. The upper extremities (41.3%) were the most commonly affected body regions. Furthermore, 74.7% of patients were found to belong to the group of cases treatable with simple medical interventions. Conclusion: Based on our findings, we suggest that some of the existing diagnoses and medical interventions can be managed in occupational health clinics or primary care centers.Acting accordingly can alleviate the workload of emergency departments.