title: Occupational injury surveillance using the Washington State Trauma Registry.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Traumatic injuries are a leading cause of death and disability among US workers, yet state trauma registries are rarely used for occupational research. Many, including the Washington State Trauma Registry, include information about work-relatedness. The objective is to explore and document the Washington State Trauma Registry as a resource for occupational injury surveillance and research.
  
  
  METHODS
  State-designated trauma facilities report traumatic injuries meeting specific inclusion criteria to the Washington State Trauma Registry. This study included 16+ year-olds injured in Washington during 1998 to 2008.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 125,625 injuries, 7.3% were work related. We found no evidence of downward trends in traumatic occupational injuries (2003 to 2008).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Capturing industry and occupation would enhance utility for occupational injury surveillance and research. Trauma registry data could contribute to prevention planning/evaluation, improve case ascertainment for severe occupational injuries, and aid identification of high-risk populations and emerging trends.
authors: Department of Health Services, School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA. jeannes@u.washington.edu
authors: Jeanne M
authors: JM
authors: Sears
authors: Stephen M
authors: SM
authors: Bowman
authors: Darrin
authors: D
authors: Adams
authors: Barbara A
authors: BA
authors: Silverstein
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D060051:Occupational Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011159:Population Surveillance / Q000379:methods*; D012042:Registries; D014861:Washington / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult