Recording of home and leisure accidents: differences between population surveys and A&E department surveillance systems

Abstract

It is important to make the right choices concerning the method of collecting basic information about injuries. In this article we therefore go into the differences between two of the most common methods used, namely population surveys and Accident and Emergency Department surveillance systems. Items that are mentioned are response, the reference period, the number of reported injuries, costs, specificity and flexibility of the information, the coverage, and the linkage with other information. A study of the literature illustrates the most important differences. By means of this information, the reader should be able to choose the method that best suits his or her objectives for a collection system. The conclusion is that the two methods are so different that they are not alternatives to each other, but can best be used in conjunction.

Key words:

• injury surveillance
• household survey
• home and leisure accidents
• population survey
• health information