The burden and outcomes of firearm injuries at two district-level emergency centres in Cape Town, South Africa: A descriptive analysis

CONCLUSION: Firearm injuries represent a substantial proportion of the trauma burden at district emergency centres in the Western Cape Province. Managing patients with firearm injuries is resource intensive, as evident by their high acuity, the need for operative care, the long length of stay, the high burden on emergency medical services with interfacility transfers and the high demand for tertiary care. Data from this study aid our understanding of the prevalence and burden of firearm injuries at district level emergency centres, and multisectoral action, supported by evidence-based primary and secondary preventive strategies, is required to reduce the burden of firearm injuries, and mitigate their effects.PMID:38525582 | DOI:10.7196/SAMJ.2024.v114i2.1176
Source: South African Medical Journal - Category: African Health Authors: Source Type: research