Assessing the feasibility of using hospital data for accident analyses

Abstract

Road accidents are a significant public health concern in Sri Lanka. Accident data are usually collected from police inventories. However, hospital data can provide detailed information on the severity of injuries, the circumstances of accidents, and the demographic characteristics of the victims compared to police reports. This helps us understand accident patterns better and how they affect public health. With this comprehensive view, we can find under-reported accidents, accident hotspots, and specific risk factors. This helps policymakers to create targeted strategies to prevent accidents. Healthcare professionals can also use this data to improve medical care for accident victims, which may reduce the number of deaths and injuries. Overall, using hospital data helps us make better decisions, leading to safer roads and healthier communities. The objective of this research is to determine whether hospital data can be a valuable source for accident analysis and identify necessary steps for its effective use. Both police and hospital accident records are collected during the data collection including accident severity, socio-demographic information of the victims, and other important factors for accident analyses. The study evaluates the quality and reliability of hospital data and asses its potential for improving the scope of the accident analysis incorporating more factors such as injury types, deaths before and after a certain age, length of hospital stay, long-term disabilities, etc. The methodology includes a review of the relevant literature and an analysis of accidents from a sufficient sample of police and hospital data. The findings of this study provide important insights into the potential use of hospital data for accident studies, as well as improve the accuracy and efficiency of accident investigations.