Rate of Implementation of Standard Codes for Injuries, Burns and Poisonings in Teaching-Hospitals of the Iran, Tehran and Shahid Beheshti Medical Universities

Introduction: Standard codes and their descriptions are important tools for research, design, implementation and evaluation of the injury control program and its sub-categories. Methods: In this research the medical records of 735 patients diagnosed with injuries, burns or poisonings from teaching-hospitals of the Iran, Tehran and Shahid Beheshti medical universities (N=22) were selected to be reviewed. The records were selected by systematic sampling and pertained to the first 6 months of 2006. From 33 available hospitals 22 met the criteria to be included in this research. The data were collected via a checklist and direct observation. The validity of the checklist was confirmed by experts. Results: The mean percents for implementing standard codes for injuries were 77.80, 67.64, and 70.11% in teaching-hospitals of the Iran, Tehran and Shahid Beheshti medical universities. For external causes these statistics were 57.80, 70.03, and 62.17% respectively. For burns, the mean percent of implementing standard codes was 55.77 and 58.33% teaching hospitals of the Iran, Tehran and Shahid Beheshti medical universities and for external causes these statistics were 54.17 and 53.33% respectively. The teaching-hospitals of the Tehran University of Medical Sciences did not admit patients with burns and patients with poisonings were only admitted in Loghman hospital from Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences. The mean percent of using standard codes for poisoning was 68.23% in this hospital and for external causes 61.27%. Conclusion: The rate of implementation of standard codes varies among the universities and this condition indicates the need of an intervention program. Keywords: Burns; Poisoning; Injury; Wounds and Injuries; Classifications.