Penetrating injury related hospitalisations in Queensland 2015/16 to 2018/19
Queensland Trauma Insights – September 2020
Authors: Dr Shahera Banu
Last updated on 30 September 2020
Background
Penetrating injury occurs when an object such as a knife or bullet crushes and tears the tissues that it traverses. There has been limited data reported on penetrating injury related hospitalisations in Queensland over recent years, so, the aim of this snapshot report is to provide current estimates of the extent and patterns of penetrating injury hospitalisations in the Queensland context.
Key findings
Between 01 July 2015 and 30 June 2019:
- 30,213 penetrating injury related hospitalisations occurred in Qld public acute hospitals.
- 38% of injury hospitalisations had a length of stay one day or more.
- Young adults, particularly male (20-24 years) have highest incidence.
- Areas with low socio-economic index had the highest incidence of penetrating injury.
- 83% of those died in hospital were male.
- Hospitalisations due to unintentional injury were higher in male (84%) compared to female (70%). However, self-harm related injury hospitalisations were higher in female (23%) than male (7%).
- Tools and household machinery were the leading cause of penetrating injuries and were higher for male.
Key figures
Trends over time
| Activity/Outcome | 15/16 | 16/17 | 17/18 | 18/19 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Episodes of care | 6,996 | 7,156 | 8,036 | 8,025 | 30,213 |
| Patient days | 12,827 | 12,351 | 13,897 | 13,861 | 52,756 |
| Av Length of stay | 1.8 | 1.7 | 1.7 | 1.7 | 1.7 |
| Discharged home | 81% | 80% | 81% | 83% | 81% |
| Died in hospital | 10 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 42 |
Age and sex breakdown
SEIFA decile
Length of stay
Died in hospital and sex breakdown
Died in hospital and body region breakdown
Body region and sex breakdown
Body region and sex breakdown
Mechanism and sex breakdown
Intent and sex breakdown
About us
The Jamieson Trauma Institute (JTI) connects clinicians, researchers, government and industry partners striving to advance trauma prevention, research and clinical management, to deliver the best possible care for people who experience traumatic injury. JTI was established with funding from the Motor Accident Insurance Commission and Metro North Hospital and Health Service. For further information, contact: Jamieson_trauma_institute@health.qld.gov.au
Data scope and definitions
This overview was produced by the Jamieson Trauma Institute, in consultation with the Statistical Services Branch, Queensland Health using Queensland Hospital Admitted Patient Data Collection (QHAPDC) (derived subset of data tables comprising injury related hospital admissions from all public acute hospitals excluding Mater South Brisbane Hospitals).
Data Scope
- Admitted patient episodes with separation date between 01 July 2015 & 30 Jun 2019.
- Principal diagnosis within the ICD-10-AM code range: S00-T98.
- First external cause codes related to ‘Cut/Pierce’ (W25 -W29, W45, W46, X78, X99, Y28, Y354, Y354) or ‘Firearm’ (W32, W34, X72, X74, X93, X95, Y22, Y24, Y350).
- Care Type = Acute.
- This overview presents raw counts and percentages, not age standardised rates, as data relate to episodes of care and not individual patient.