Low cost injury prevention for high savings

The latest edition of Hazard, produced by the Victorian Injury Surveillance and Applied Research System (VISAR) at MUARC, reveals children’s arm fractures cost $5.2 million each year.

However the report found that many of these injuries could be prevented if children wore wristguards while playing sport or rollerblading and cycling.

The report, which includes cost-effective injury prevention strategies aimed at children and older persons, also reveals changes to playground equipment could save the state $4.7 million annually if fully implemented.

More than 4400 Victorian children are admitted to hospitals every year following a fall. Of these, 1967 are falls from playground equipment. Another 3934 children are treated in emergency departments for falls from playground equipment.

According to Professor Joan Ozanne-Smith, Chair of Injury Prevention at MUARC, replacing playground equipment at retirement with better-designed equipment could save more than $500,000 in the first year.

Professor Ozanne-Smith said falls among the elderly was a growing problem and often resulted in fractured hips.

“If all hip fractures were prevented, hospital waiting lists could be reduced by nearly 50,000 bed days each year, allowing more than 7990 new elective procedures every year and saving more than $12 million,” she said.

For more information contact Professor Joan Ozanne-Smith, Chair of Injury Prevention, Monash University Accident Research Centre (MUARC) on 03 9905 1810.