On May 7–8, Tbilisi State Medical University hosted the international scientific conference “Healthcare Perspectives in the 21st Century,” which brought together researchers, doctoral students, and students from leading universities in Georgia and abroad to present their latest research and current scientific achievements.
Dachi Verulava, a student at the Caucasus School of Medicine, Caucasus University, delivered a presentation titled “Epidemiology and Severity of Traumatic Injuries in Hospital Emergency Departments: A Multicentre Retrospective Study.”
The study aimed to describe the epidemiological profile of injuries among patients admitted to emergency departments. It was conducted as a retrospective observational study, using trauma registry data from the emergency departments of multidisciplinary hospitals in Georgia.
Key Findings
Demographic disparity: The higher incidence of traumatic injuries among men (67%) may be attributed to their more frequent involvement in high-risk activities, including physical labor and driving.
Economic activity and trauma: The main burden of injuries (51%) falls on the 17–65 age group, reflecting a global epidemiological pattern in which the most economically active segment of society is particularly affected.
Falls as a leading cause of injury: Falls (47%) were identified as the leading cause of injury, making children and older adults especially vulnerable risk groups.
Geographical inequality: In rural regions, 72% of patients receive care more than four hours after injury, indicating infrastructural challenges and limited access to healthcare services.
Effectiveness of emergency medical services: Emergency medical services play a crucial role in preserving the “golden hour”: 84.3% of patients transported by ambulance arrive at hospital within less than one hour.
Recommendations
Preventive policy: Targeted preventive measures should be introduced, with a focus on road safety, workplace regulation, and the reduction of risk-related behaviors.
Awareness-raising: Educational campaigns should be implemented to help prevent fall-related injuries among children and older adults.
Improvement of rural infrastructure: To ensure equitable access to healthcare in the regions, road infrastructure should be improved and transportation times reduced.
Optimization of emergency departments: Non-urgent patients with mild to moderate conditions should be managed at the outpatient level to prevent overcrowding in emergency departments.
Systematization of data: A comprehensive and integrated national trauma registry should be established to support evidence-based health policy planning.
