Nichtakzidentelle gewaltbedingte Verletzungen in chirurgischen Notaufnahmen in Hamburg
Related Research units
Abstract
Background
Interpersonal violence is of considerable social relevance and the estimated number of unreported cases is thought to be relevant. A large proportion of cases of violence are not reported to the police. Emergency rooms and doctors in private practice are the first points of contact for the victims. A medicolegal evaluation of the frequency and causes of injuries inflicted by nonaccidental violence in three surgical emergency rooms in Hamburg, Germany is presented.
Material and methods
A total of 13,659 emergency records were reviewed. All cases with a documentation of injuries inflicted by violence were included in the study.
Results
A total of 827 patients (6.05%) were identified as having been exposed to violence. About 80% were male, with a preponderance in the age group 21–40 years. Blunt force trauma was predominant (87%), injuries of the cranium and facial bones were diagnosed in the majority of cases. Inpatient hospital treatment was necessary in more than 10% of patients. Perpetrators not previously known to the victims were reported most often.
Discussion
The frequency of violence-related cases varied among hospitals due to the differing social background of the surrounding urban districts. The results point to the dimensions of medical care services for nonaccidental violence-related injuries as well as to the need for patient-centered, cooperative care concepts including medicolegal consultation and documentation.
Interpersonal violence is of considerable social relevance and the estimated number of unreported cases is thought to be relevant. A large proportion of cases of violence are not reported to the police. Emergency rooms and doctors in private practice are the first points of contact for the victims. A medicolegal evaluation of the frequency and causes of injuries inflicted by nonaccidental violence in three surgical emergency rooms in Hamburg, Germany is presented.
Material and methods
A total of 13,659 emergency records were reviewed. All cases with a documentation of injuries inflicted by violence were included in the study.
Results
A total of 827 patients (6.05%) were identified as having been exposed to violence. About 80% were male, with a preponderance in the age group 21–40 years. Blunt force trauma was predominant (87%), injuries of the cranium and facial bones were diagnosed in the majority of cases. Inpatient hospital treatment was necessary in more than 10% of patients. Perpetrators not previously known to the victims were reported most often.
Discussion
The frequency of violence-related cases varied among hospitals due to the differing social background of the surrounding urban districts. The results point to the dimensions of medical care services for nonaccidental violence-related injuries as well as to the need for patient-centered, cooperative care concepts including medicolegal consultation and documentation.
Bibliographical data
| Translated title of the contribution | Nonaccidental violence-related injuries in surgical emergency rooms in Hamburg, Germany: An evaluation of the incidence and causes of interpersonal violence in three emergency rooms in Hamburg |
|---|---|
| Original language | German |
| ISSN | 0937-9819 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2021 |
