Introduction: The increased availability of e-scooter has led to a rise in injury presentations. Whilst injury patterns are well described, less is known about the characteristics of the riders.
Methods: Retrospective database analysis of all riders of e-scooter who presented to the RMH Emergency Department from 2021-2023. All cases were prospectively subject to a full trauma dataset collection, including demographics, injury narrative, compensability, drug and alcohol usage and day/time. Multiple cross tabulations were performed with a hypothesis generating approach, and analysed with Fischer’s exact test.
Results: From 2021 -23, there were 562 presentations with a median age of 29 year (IQR 23-30) and 383(68.1%) were male. A quarter (n=149, 26.5%) were admitted and 49 were major trauma. Evidence of alcohol usage was seen in 166 (29.5%) and drug usage in 61 (10.9%), far in excess of other transport mechanisms. Alcohol and or drug usage were both associated with male gender (p=0.006) major trauma (p<0.001) and admission (p=0.003). Non-compensable patients were more likely to be female (p=0.012) and younger (p<0.001) and less likely to be admitted (p=003), use alcohol (p<0.001) or drugs(p=0.001). Traffic related incidents (versus off road) were more common on the weekday, in older persons, but less likely to involve alcohol (p=0.014).
Conclusion: This hospital level data has shown high prevalence of alcohol and drug usage, which were associated with admission, more serious injury and male gender. Non compensable patients, potentially tourists, were less likely to require admission, use alcohol or drugs, and were more likely female.