title: Hospitalizations for near drowning in California: incidence and costs.
abstract: California hospital discharge data for 1991 were examined to describe persons hospitalized for near drownings (i.e., a submersion incident for which the victim was admitted to a hospital). Among residents with near-drowning injuries, there were 865 discharges, regardless of outcome (rate = 2.8/100,000); 785 persons survived the hospitalization, and 80 (9%) did not. Swimming pools were the most common submersion site (62%). Highest rates per 100,000 were found among males (3.6), Blacks (3.6), and children 1 through 5 years old (18.4). Charges for the initial hospitalization (excluding physicians' fees) amounted to $11.4 million. The state government's share of these charges was $5.4 million, with Medi-Cal expected to pay $4.1 million. Blacks, males, Medi-Cal recipients, and young children are most at risk and should be targeted for prevention programs.
authors.affiliation: Emergency Preparedness and Injury Control Branch, California Department of Health Services, Sacramento 94234-7320, USA.
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Ellis
authors.forename: R B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Trent
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001494:Baths; D002140:California / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D017722:Hospital Charges; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D007348:Insurance, Health; D008297:Male; D015701:Near Drowning / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality; D010343:Patient Admission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010351:Patient Discharge / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013551:Swimming Pools