The impact of violence reduction initiatives on emergency department attendance.
BACKGROUND
Recent violence reduction initiatives in Glasgow have led to a reduction in recorded levels of violent crime.(1) This study evaluates the impact of these initiatives on assault-related emergency department attendances and admissions.


METHODS
A retrospective observational study conducted in Glasgow Royal Infirmary's emergency department comparing assault-related emergency department attendances and hospital admissions over two 30-day study periods (April 2010 and April 2012). The primary outcome measure was the change in assault-related emergency department attendances. The secondary outcome measure was the impact on assault-related hospital and critical care admissions.


RESULTS
In April 2010, there were 6098 emergency department attendances, 301 (4.9%) were due to assault. In April 2012, there were 7236 emergency department attendances, 263 (3.6%) were due to assault, representing a significant reduction in assault-related attendances (p < 0.01). There were significant reductions in level 1 admissions 2010 n = 56 (19.2%), 2012 n = 36 (14.0%) p = 0.04 and critical care admissions, 2010 n = 5 (1.7%), 2012 n = 1 (0.4%) p = 0.04.


CONCLUSIONS
Violence reduction initiatives in Glasgow have contributed to a reduction in assault-related emergency department attendance at Glasgow Royal Infirmary. The reduction in hospital admissions, in particular critical care admissions, suggests a reduction in morbidity and cost to the National Health Service.
Emergency Medicine Registrar, Emergency Department, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, UK stevenrainey@nhs.net.
S R
SR
Rainey
GPST1, Emergency Department, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, UK.
J
J
Simpson
FY2, Emergency Department, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, UK.
S
S
Page
Medical Student, Emergency Department, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, UK.
M
M
Crowley
Reader in Public Health, School of Health Sciences, Stirling University, UK.
J
J
Evans
Emergency Medicine Consultant, Emergency Department, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, UK.
M
M
Sheridan
Emergency Medicine Consultant, Emergency Department, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, UK.
A J
AJ
Ireland
D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D019548:Crime Victims / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012606:Scotland / Q000453:epidemiology; D012637:Security Measures; D012926:Social Control, Formal; D014754:Violence / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*
Emergency Department attendance; Violence reduction; assault