JAMA Network Open

EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE: 11 A.M. (ET), FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 2019

Media advisory: To contact corresponding study author Tarak K. Trivedi, M.D., M.S., Enrique Rivero at [email protected]. The full study and commentary are linked to this news release.

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About JAMA Network Open: JAMA Network Open is the new online-only open access general medical journal from the JAMA Network. Every Friday, the journal publishes peer-reviewed clinical research and commentary in more than 40 medical and health subject areas. Every article is free online from the day of publication.

Bottom Line: Nearly 250 patients ended up at two Southern California emergency departments with injuries associated with standing electric scooter use and few riders were wearing helmets. This observational study used medical record review to examine injuries associated with standing electric scooter use over a one-year period; 228 patients were injured as riders and 21 as nonriders. Nearly 11 percent of riders were younger than 18 and only about 4 percent of riders were documented as wearing helmets. Fractures, head injuries and soft-tissue injuries were the most common. Nearly all patients were discharged from the emergency department but 15 were admitted, including two with severe heard injuries. The authors suggest their findings may help to inform public policy around standing electric scooter use, a growing and cheap mode of transportation.

authors:  Tarak K. Trivedi, M.D., M.S., University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, and coauthors

(doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2018.7381)

Editor’s Note: The article contains funding/support disclosures. Please see the article for additional information, including other authors, author contributions and affiliations, financial disclosures, funding and support, etc.

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