Financial and Clinical Impact of Repeal of the Pennsylvania Motorcycle Helmet Law

Memorial Medical Center

Status

Completed

Conditions

Facial Injuries

Craniocerebral Trauma

Study type

Observational

Funder types

Other

Identifiers

NCT00200135

MMC 04-18

Details and patient eligibility

About

The purpose of this study is to find out how many helmeted versus non-helmeted motorcycle accident victims (MCA) sustain head and/or face injuries. Also, we will find out how much it costs to get medical care for head and face injuries in helmeted versus non-helmeted motorcycle victims. Finally, we will compare how long it takes helmeted versus non-helmeted motorcycle victims with face and head injuries to return to work.

Full description

This is a prospective, quasi-experimental research study that will compare clinical outcomes of helmeted versus non-helmeted motorcycle victims admitted to trauma centers, as well as victims treated and released from emergency departments.

The primary objective of this study is:

To determine if the financial charges and ratio of cost to charges (RCC), including acute hospitalization, rehabilitation or skilled care, outpatient care, and time to return to work (implying lost wages) is different between helmeted versus non-helmeted motorcyclists with head or face injuries

Secondary objectives include:

To determine if inpatient mean total acute care and downstream charges and RCC are higher for non-helmeted versus helmeted motorcycle victims admitted to three Pennsylvania trauma centers with head and face injuries
To determine the mean time of return to full duty work (at previous level of employment) is shorter for helmeted or non-helmeted motorcycle victims admitted to three Pennsylvania trauma centers with head and face injuries
To determine if non-helmeted or helmeted motorcycle victims admitted to three Pennsylvania trauma centers have increased incidence and severity of head and face injuries
To determine the incidence and severity of non-helmeted motorcycle accident victims is higher than helmeted counterparts treated and released from emergency departments for face and head injuries
To determine if non-helmeted motorcycle victims die at scene or in emergency departments (from head and face injuries) more often than helmeted motorcycle victims
To determine if more helmeted or non-helmeted motorcycle accident victims require no immediate medical care for head and face injuries

Enrollment

480 estimated patients

Sex

All

Ages

18+ years old

Volunteers

No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

All English speaking drivers/passengers of motorcycle accidents, 18 years or older, with head or face injuries served by participating study trauma centers, emergency departments or coroners.
All English speaking drivers/passengers of motorcycle accidents, 18 years of age or older, served by Pennsylvania police but did not require acute medical services.

Exclusion criteria

Non-English speaking
Served by trauma center, emergency department or coroner, but without haed or face injury
Less than 18 years of age
Moped accidents
Motorized bicycle accidents
Parked motorcycle accidents
Off road motorcycle accidents, not on a public street or highway
Dirtbike or motorcross accidents, involving vehicles not licensed for highway use