The effect of seatbelt use on injury patterns, disposition, and hospital charges for elders.

Abstract

To study the relationships between seatbelt use and injury patterns, hospital charges, morbidity, and mortality in elder motor vehicle crash victims. A retrospective review of individuals at least 65 years old presenting to an urban emergency department (ED) after a motor vehicle crash. Over a two-year period, 339 patients had documentation of seatbelt use or non-use at the time of the crash. Of these, 241 (71%) patients had been wearing a seatbelt and 98 (29%) had not. Elders not using seatbelts were more likely to require hospitalization (29% unbelted vs. 17% belted) and had a higher mortality rate. Injury patterns were different in the two groups. Emergency department charges were significantly different between belted and unbelted elders ($351 vs. $451, p = 0.01) and head computed tomography (CT) utilization was higher in the unbelted group (25.6% vs 12.7%, p = 0.005). Improved seatbelt compliance in elders can reduce injuries, hospitalization rates, ED charges, and mortality resulting from motor vehicle crashes.