title: The impact of tree-stand falls on a Level 1 trauma center in West Michigan.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Falls from tree stands are common during the hunting season. We examined the impact of this injury mechanism on a Level 1 trauma center in West Michigan.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective cohort study examining tree-stand fall patients between 2001 and 2013.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 193 patients were included. Less than 3% of patients were wearing a harness. Falls from greater than 20 feet were associated with a higher injury severity score (P = .018). The injury severity score and Glasgow coma scale of the normal weight and overweight (OW) groups were the same. Overall 91.3% of normal weight patients were discharged home vs 63.5% of OW patients (P = .009). Median rehab stay was 12 days (3 to 92), and median charge was $24,048 (2,398 to 134,752).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Tree-stand falls cause significant injury, especially from heights greater than 20 feet. OW patients more frequently require rehabilitation. The infrequent use of safety harnesses is alarming.
authors.affiliation: GRMEP/MSU General Surgery Residency, 221 Michigan Street 200A, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA. Electronic address: jtcarroll4541@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Joseph T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Carroll
authors.affiliation: GRMEP/MSU General Surgery Residency, 221 Michigan Street 200A, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA.
authors.forename: Alistair J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Chapman
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI, USA; GRMEP Research Department, Grand Rapids, MI, USA.
authors.forename: Alan T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.affiliation: GRMEP/MSU General Surgery Residency, 221 Michigan Street 200A, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA; Department of General Surgery, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI, USA; Division of Trauma Surgery, Spectrum Health, Grand Rapids, MI, USA.
authors.forename: Carlos H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Rodriguez
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D003670:Deer; D005260:Female; D015600:Glasgow Coma Scale; D006801:Humans; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D008297:Male; D008824:Michigan / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014193:Trauma Centers; D014197:Trees
keywords: BMI; Fall; Height; Trauma; Tree stand