INJURY SURVEILLANCE IN PUBLIC HOSPITAL EMERGENCY DEPARTMENTS

Aims. To identify existing surveillance initiatives and to seek and re ach consensus on a national minimum data set for injury surveillance i n public hospital emergency departments in New Zealand. Methods. Every public hospital emergency department was visited to obtain informatio n on current surveillance initiatives. At the same time, guidelines fo r a national minimum data set for injury surveillance were considered. National organisations who might use the information were contacted a nd also asked to consider the guidelines. Results. Of the 43 public ho spital emergency departments visited, five had on-site computerised in formation systems, the majority collecting data manually. Basic demogr aphic data and information in a narrative form were the only data reco rded consistently by all hospitals. A national minimum data set for in jury surveillance was adopted by general agreement at a consensus foru m, held in Wellington, in March, 1992. Current developments indicate t hat the minimum data set for injury surveillance, as adopted at the fo rum will become a component of the National Minimum Data Set within th e proposed Health Information Strategy for New Zealand. Conclusions. I njury data collection will, in time become mandatory. However, the pro motion of the minimum data set for injury surveillance by health profe ssionals, national organisations and community groups will be essentia l to ensure its implementation and utilisation for the prevention and control of injuries.