• Katherine J Harmon, Stephen W Marshall, Scott K Proescholdbell, Rebecca B Naumann, and Anna E Waller.
• Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, The University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina (Ms Harmon, Ms Naumann, and Dr Marshall); Injury and Violence Prevention Branch, North Carolina Division of Public Health, Raleigh, North Carolina (Mr Proescholdbell); Department of Emergency Medicine, UNC School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina (Dr Waller).
• J Head Trauma Rehabil. 2015 May 1; 30 (3): 175-84.

ObjectiveTo examine statewide emergency department (ED) visit data for motorcycle crash morbidity and healthcare utilization due to traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and non-TBIs.SettingNorth Carolina ED data (2010-2012) and hospital discharge data (2009-2011).PopulationStatewide ED visits and hospitalizations due to injuries from traffic-related motorcycle crashes stratified by TBI status.DesignDescriptive study.Main MeasuresDescriptive statistics include age, sex, mode of transport, disposition, expected source of payment, hospital length of stay, and hospital charges.ResultsOver the study period, there were 18 780 ED visits and 3737 hospitalizations due to motorcycle crashes. Twelve percent of ED visits for motorcycle crashes and 26% of hospitalizations for motorcycle crashes had a diagnosis of TBI. Motorcycle crash-related hospitalizations with a TBI diagnosis had median hospital charges that were nearly $9000 greater than hospitalizations without a TBI diagnosis.ConclusionsEmergency department visits and hospitalizations due to motorcycle crashes with a TBI diagnosis consumed more healthcare resources than motorcycle crash-related ED visits and hospitalizations without a TBI diagnosis. Increased awareness of motorcyclists by other road users and increased use of motorcycle helmets are 2 strategies to mitigate the incidence and severity of motorcycle crash injuries, including TBIs.

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