Categorization of Firearm Injury Intent among Patients Treated in 2020-2022 at Oregon Health and Science University’s Emergency Department

Rosol Mikail, Oregon Health & Science University
Ayanna Bell, Oregon Health & Science University
Gina Stahla, Oregon Health & Science University
Kathleen Carlson, Oregon Health & Science University

Abstract

Firearms were the second leading cause of injury fatality in the United States in 2020. The purpose of this retrospective study is to determine firearm injury intent among patients presenting to the OHSU Emergency Department (ED). OHSU is one of the two level 1 Trauma Centers in Oregon. Patients who are transferred from an outside hospital or present directly after firearm injury are first seen at the OHSU ED.

This study focuses on patients who presented to the OHSU ED with firearm injuries between January 2020 and November 2022. Two independent reviewers manually reviewed patients’ medical charts, coded for intent, and recorded transfer status (yes/no). The two independent reviewers discussed any disagreements in the coding of intent and came to consensus on final intent codes.

We have double-coded 50 charts of patients that presented to the OHSU ED between January and July 2020. Of these, 38% were Unintentional, 34% were Assault, 18% were Undetermined, 6% were Self-harm, and 2% was Legal Intervention. There were 38% patients that were transferred from an outside hospital to the OHSU ED, the remaining 62% patients presented directly to the OHSU ED.

Manual coding of firearm injury intent through chart reviews increases our understanding of the circumstances surrounding firearm injuries. These data are informative and valuable for using a public health approach to addressing gun violence in Oregon. Furthermore, knowing the intent of injuries can inform public health prevention efforts on a county and state level.

 
Apr 4th, 2:00 PM Apr 4th, 3:00 PM

Categorization of Firearm Injury Intent among Patients Treated in 2020-2022 at Oregon Health and Science University’s Emergency Department

Firearms were the second leading cause of injury fatality in the United States in 2020. The purpose of this retrospective study is to determine firearm injury intent among patients presenting to the OHSU Emergency Department (ED). OHSU is one of the two level 1 Trauma Centers in Oregon. Patients who are transferred from an outside hospital or present directly after firearm injury are first seen at the OHSU ED.

This study focuses on patients who presented to the OHSU ED with firearm injuries between January 2020 and November 2022. Two independent reviewers manually reviewed patients’ medical charts, coded for intent, and recorded transfer status (yes/no). The two independent reviewers discussed any disagreements in the coding of intent and came to consensus on final intent codes.

We have double-coded 50 charts of patients that presented to the OHSU ED between January and July 2020. Of these, 38% were Unintentional, 34% were Assault, 18% were Undetermined, 6% were Self-harm, and 2% was Legal Intervention. There were 38% patients that were transferred from an outside hospital to the OHSU ED, the remaining 62% patients presented directly to the OHSU ED.

Manual coding of firearm injury intent through chart reviews increases our understanding of the circumstances surrounding firearm injuries. These data are informative and valuable for using a public health approach to addressing gun violence in Oregon. Furthermore, knowing the intent of injuries can inform public health prevention efforts on a county and state level.