In addition to its human toll, the direct and indirect costs of injury in Canada are estimated at $14 billion annually.In Nova Scotia, the annual cost (direct and indirect) of unintentional injury is $370 million or $396 for every citizen of Nova Scotia. It is estimated that the annual cost of intentional injury is an additional $200 million.

• Nova Scotia spends approximately 400 million dollars annually to care for its injured. Across Canada, injury costs 15 billion dollars per year
• 5200 Nova Scotians are admitted to hospital each year as a result of injury
• Each year, approximately 330,000 Nova Scotians are treated by their doctor or in emergency departments for injuries. (Based on the Injury Pyramid - see Nova Scotia Trauma Registry)
• Nova Scotians who suffer serious injuries are on average, hospitalized for 11 days. This constitutes nearly 56,000 inpatient hospital days each year
• Young people are most likely to suffer injuries related to motor vehicle crashes, while falls are the leading cause of injury in the elderly population
• Injuries result in more potential life years lost than any other disease process
• Injuries Are Not Accidents! 95 per cent of injuries are predictable and preventable

In view of the above, the Nova Scotia government mandated EHS to develop a comprehensive trauma system (see Trauma Systems). In 1997, a Provincial Trauma Program Development Team was established by EHS to provide expert advice for the establishment of a Provincial Trauma Program. This team, comprising trauma stakeholders (consumers, care providers, and administrators), identified a number of key strategies and areas of focus for trauma system development. Following the work of the Provincial Trauma Program Development Team, EHS officially launched the Nova Scotia Trauma Program in 1997. The role of the Nova Scotia Trauma Program is to facilitate the provision of optimal trauma care by providing leadership in injury prevention and control, education, research and trauma system development.

Last Updated: 8/14/2009 10:32:43 AM