Characteristics of Injured Patients Related with Typhoon Nari

Kang, Young Joon; Kim, Woo Jeong; Park, Ju Ok

Abstract

Purposes: Typhoon Nari attacked Jeju on September 16, 2007 and caused flood resulting from severe rainfall. We performed this study to determine the impact of a typhoon on emergency departments and to analyze characteristics of injured patients.
METHODS
First, we analyzed the correlation between precipitation and numbers of patient visits using the National Emergency Department Information System. Second, characteristics of typhoon related injuries (TRI) were compared with those of non-typhoon related injuries (Non-TRI). Data were extracted from the Cheju National University Hospital Injury Surveillance System. The impact of a typhoon on moderate or severe injury and death from injury was analyzed by case-control study.
RESULTS
The daily mean number of patients during a typhoon was larger than during previous six days. A dramatic rise in number of of injured patients (p=0.003) was noted after weather conditions improved. To analyze the characteristics of injury, 208 injured patients were enrolled. Among them 59 categorized as TRI and 116 as Non-TRI, respectively. TRI patients were older than Non-TIRI patients (p=0.001) and the most common mechanism, place, activity and object/substance in TRI were, respectively: cut/pierce, home, the vital activity, and building/building component or related fitting. By severity based on the NISS, TRI and Non-TRI were not significantly different. Relationship between a TRI patients and moderate or severe injury (OR=1.70, 95% CI: 0.39, 6.99) or death from injury (OR=5.28, 95% CI: 0.82, 56.5) was not significant statistically.
CONCLUSION
In typhoon, preparation must be made for dramatic risk to patients with minor laceration in the ED. To prevent injury, it is imperative that people who live in dangerous housing are evacuated before the event.