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Hip & Knee Research
Hip & Knee Research
Hip & Knee Research
Hip & Knee Research
Research Projects
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South Campus Research Unit for Bone and Soft Tissue
The Slip and Fall Index: Assessing the risk of slipping and falling on ice
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The University of Calgary Conjoint Health Research Ethics Board has approved this research study (REB18-0777)
Study Overview
Factors Predicting Orthopaedic Trauma Volumes, Slip and Fall Index
The rate of hospitalization resulting from slip and fall accidents on ice in Alberta is the second highest in Canada, nearly four times higher than that of British Columbia. With falls being the leading cause of unintentional injuries for all age groups, the consequence of these injuries significantly burdens the Canadian healthcare system. The primary objective of this study was to create an index to alert the public of slippery outdoor conditions and promote pedestrian safety.
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Emergency department (ED) visits to the four major adult hospitals in Calgary over an 11-year period were filtered based on a fall due to ice or snow mechanism of injury. This data was then compared with information from the Environment Canada weather station at Calgary International Airport and Alberta Road Weather Information sensors. Resultant findings showed that January, February, and March had the highest incident of ED presentations due to slip and fall on snow/ice. These three months were predicative of significantly increased presentations and accounted for over half of all presentations throughout the year.
Data collected from this study was then used to create a Slip and Fall Index (SFI) capable of predicting ER presentations due to fall on snow/ice. Findings of this study may pave the way for educational measure to be put in place to prevent slip and fall injuries and decrease the load they place on individuals and the healthcare system.
Current Status
Completed. Published in Canadian Journal of Public Health
https://doi.org/10.17269/s41997-024-00855-z
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Lead principal investigator
Dr. Neil White