An evaluation of the national electronic injury surveillance system for use in monitoring nonfatal firearm injuries and obtaining national estimates

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Abstract

The death toll from firearm injuries in the United States has doubled over the past three decades. Although the distribution of fatalities from firearms is well documented, very little is known about the occurrence of nonfatal firearm injuries in the United States. This study was designed to assess the use of the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) for obtaining national estimates of nonfatal firearm-related injuries. Currently, 91 hospital emergency departments compose the NEISS system. Records from a stratified random sample of 12 emergency departments were reviewed to determine the proportion of persons with gunshot wounds identified by NEISS personnel. NEISS personnel ascertained 97 of 105 (92.4%; 95% C.I. = 87.3% – 97.5%) persons treated for gunshot wounds in the 12 emergency departments. It is shown that NEISS is an effective surveillance system for surveillance of gunshot wounds and can be used to obtain national estimates.

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a

She received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, and her Master of Public Health Degree from The Johns Hopkins University School of Hygiene and Public Health.

b

He has been with the U.S. Public Health Service since 1979, having worked 5 years at the National Center for Health Statistics and the remaining time at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta. Dr. Annest received his M.S. and PhD from the University of Hawaii, Honolulu, in Population Genetics.

c

He received his MD from Northwestern University Medical School and his M.P.H. from Harvard School of Public Health.

d

He received his PhD in sociology from Emory University.

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