Patterns Of Injuries And Emergency Department Outcomes Of Motorcycle Crash Victims At Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital

Background: Motorcycle crashes result in diverse injury patterns and impose significant burdens on healthcare services, especially in low-resource settings. This study describes injury patterns and emergency department (ED) outcomes among motorcycle accident victims at QECH, Malawi. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at QECH’s Adult Emergency and Trauma Centre from December 1, 2023, to February 29, 2024. Injury details, outcomes, and patient dispositions were collected from clinicians' notes and recorded using structured questionnaires via Kobo Collect. Data analysis was performed using R software. Results: Among 174 motorcycle crash patients, soft tissue injuries were most prevalent (92.0%), followed by lower limb fractures (21.8%) and head injuries (20.1%). Most patients (75.9%) were triaged as priority cases upon ED arrival. Helmet non-use was significantly associated with head injuries. ED disposition outcomes indicated that 73.1% of patients were managed as outpatients, with hospital admissions constituting 26.3% and an overall survival rate of 98.3%. Conclusions: Soft tissue injuries, fractures, and head injuries dominate injury patterns among motorcycle crash victims at QECH. Most injuries required outpatient management, though a significant number needed hospital admission. Improved trauma management protocols and preventive measures, particularly promoting helmet use, are critical to improving patient outcomes.