Perfil das vítimas de acidentes de trânsito encaminhados a uma unidade de pronto atendimento

Abstract

Introduction: The increasing number of traffic accidents in large cities has been drawing the attention of health managers and health personnel. Objectives: To investigate the profile of traffic victims referred to an emergency care unit (UPA), and to analyze if the health care services (emergency medical service and firefighters) were properly screening users according to the function of emergency care unit. Patients and methods: This study analyzed two hundred and fourteen victims of traffic accidents during one year of follow-up at the heath care unit. After the health care team carried out the first approach, the subjects were categorized according to the type of accident, main complaint, and how they arrived at the unit. We used descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation and percentage) and inferential statistics (Chi-square test) to analyze data. Results: Of the traffic accidents,43% of the cases involved motorcycles, and 26% involved motorcycle vs car collisions. Men accounted for the majority of the cases. Regarding the assistance delivered by the medical services, firefighters provided care to 105 cases and emergency medical service to 59. The majority of cases presented resolution in the emergency care unit (including those from spontaneous demand), pointing out the adequate triage of cases referred to the health care unit. Conclusion: This study confirmed the high prevalence of traffic accidents involving motorcyclists. The great resolution of cases in the emergency care unit reinforces the importance of such health care service in those cases that do not require hospital complexity assistance.