title: The unrecognized danger of a new transportation mechanism of injury--pedicabs.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Pedicabs are a new and controversial transportation innovation for tourists in congested areas in several U.S. cities. Scant literature on this trauma mechanism exists. The purpose of this study is to identify the incidence, demographics, morbidity, mortality, and potential for injury prevention of pedicab incidents amongst major trauma admissions at an urban, academic Level I Trauma Center.
  
  
  METHODS
  Researchers conducted a retrospective review of the Trauma Registry from 2000 to 2009. All patients identified as being injured in a pedicab incident were reviewed. Demographics, diagnoses, toxicology, treatments, and injury severity scale (ISS) were collected. Outcomes included mortality, ICU, and hospital length of stay (LOS), discharge disposition, and hospital charges. A photographic survey of 50 local pedicabs was examined for the presence and use of safety equipment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  During the period of January 2000 to July 2009 there were 15 major trauma victims from identified pedicab incidents. Falling from the pedicab was the mechanism of injury in 14 of 15 cases. There were two fatalities in victims following severe traumatic brain injury. Traumatic brain injury, skull fracture, or loss of consciousness was seen in 11/15 victims. Ethanol ingestion was detected in blood tests of 10 of the 14 adult victims. Median charges of hospitalization due to a pedicab related injury was US$29,956 ± 77,482. A photographic survey of 50 local pedicabs reveals very limited use of safety belts by passengers despite existing city ordinances.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Major trauma victims of pedicab incidents in the United States suffer significant injuries and death. Most cases occurred in passengers falling from the pedicab at night after alcohol ingestion. There is an opportunity for implementation of strategies toward improved injury prevention with this new form of transport.
authors.affiliation: Division of Trauma, Burns and Surgical Critical Care, Department of Surgery, University of California Medical Center, 200 W Arbor Drive, San Diego, CA 92103-8896, USA. jdoucet@ucsd.edu
authors.forename: Jay J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Doucet
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hill
authors.forename: Pat
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Stout
authors.forename: Vishal
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Bansal
authors.forename: Jeanne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Dale
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fortlage
authors.forename: Bruce
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Potenza
authors.forename: Pritha
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Workman
authors.forename: Raul
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Coimbra
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002140:California / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012042:Registries; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014186:Transportation / Q000379:methods*; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology; D055815:Young Adult