Playground injuries in children: a review and Pennsylvania Trauma Center experience.

Abstract

ISSUES AND PURPOSE To describe patient demographics, injury characteristics, and circumstances of playground injuries in children admitted to Pennsylvania trauma centers and to identify injury prevention strategies. DESIGN AND METHODS Retrospective, descriptive study of 234 children ages 1 to 18 years sustaining playground-related injuries and whose hospital data were entered into the Pennsylvania Trauma Outcome Study. RESULTS Most of the injuries occurred between April and September (77%), and noon to 6 P.M. (69%). Falls from playground equipment constituted the highest proportion of incidents (73%). Of 421 injuries (M = 1.8/patient), most were upper extremity (n = 117) and head (n = 110) injuries. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS Nurses can advocate for playground safety by teaching children to play safely and recommending age-appropriate equipment and protective surfacing.