Children bouncing to the emergency department: Changes in trampoline injury patterns. (9th August 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chen, Monica; Cundy, Peter; Antoniou, Georgia; Williams, Nicole
• Is Part Of: Journal of paediatrics and child health. Volume 55:Number 2(2019)
• Page Start: 175
• Page End: 180
• Publication Date: 2018-08-09
• Subjects: commercial trampoline park -- emergency department -- fracture -- injury -- prevention -- trampoline; Children -- Health and hygiene -- Periodicals; Pediatrics -- Periodicals; 618.92
• DOI: 10.1111/jpc.14144
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1034-4810

Abstract

Abstract : Aim: To compare trampoline injuries and injury costs sustained at a commercial trampoline park versus private homes presenting to a major Australian children's hospital over a 12‐month period. Methods: Children presenting with a trampoline injury to the paediatric emergency department in 2015 were identified using a keyword search of triage information. A comparison of injuries sustained at a commercial trampoline park and private homes was performed. Results: A total of 392 children presented with injuries, and the majority of injuries (68.9%) occurred at a private home; 19.4% were from a commercial trampoline park. Significant differences were seen between patients from a private home and commercial park for median age (5.6 vs. 12.8 years; P < 0.001), gender (48.2 vs. 61.8% female; P = 0.03) and season of injury. Of the injuries, 27.3% occurred when children fell off the trampoline, and fractures (39.5%) were the most common injury; 17.4% required hospital admission, and 12.8% required surgical intervention. Commercial park injuries had a significantly longer median length of stay (37.4 vs. 22.8 h; P = 0.03). The estimated total acute cost for these trampoline injuries in 1 year was $546 786. Commercial trampoline park injuries accounted for 21.7% of the estimated cost and private homes for 68.2%. Conclusions: Paediatric trampoline injuries remain a common source of hospital presentation and admission, despite the introduction of a Voluntary Australian Standard. Paediatric trampoline injuries usually occur in private homes; however, the increasing popularity of commercial trampoline parks contributes to a change in the profile of trampoline injuries. Commercial park injuries were more expensive to treat.