Document Type : سرمقاله
Authors
1 Professor, Health Information Management, Health Information Technology Department, Health Management & Economics Research Center, Faculty of Medical Management & Information Sciences, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
2 MSc Student, Health Information Technology, Faculty of Medical Management & Information Sciences, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
Abstract
About two centuries have passed since the first deaths due to traffic accidents. Recent research shows that 38% of unnatural deaths in Iran are because of road accidents. According to statistics published by Iran forensics, from 2000 to 2010, 235587 people have been killed in traffic accidents and 2281810 people have been injured. [1] Given that planners and policy makers are concerned with decreasing accidents and also because information forms the fundamental part of preventive programs, lack of sufficient information regarding the causes of accidents will be an obstacle to fulfill such programs. Collection of appropriate data and access to sufficient information regarding the causes of traffic accidents such as the type of accident (traffic or non-traffic), compliance with safety regulations and standards (such as fastening seatbelt, no cell-phone use, no drinking or eating, use of helmet by motor cyclists, and etc.), vehicles involved, rate and type of injury, time and location of accident can help organizations in implementation of preventive programs. In this regard, Minimum Data Set (MDS) plays a fundamental role in meeting policy makers' needs. MDS make data comparison possible and allows medical institutions to identify patients and meet governmental requirements, institutional needs and medical society's ideals. [2, 3]Tee (2012) in his study entitled "Inception of an Australian Spine Trauma Registry: The Minimum Data Set" showed that there is a need to comprehensive registry of collected data associated with spinal cord trauma both regarding spinal column and spinal cord injuries in order to inform policy makers properly and create preventive strategies for future patients. [4]Shaban (2009) in his study "The Long Term Effects of early Analysis of a Trauma Registry in United Arab Emirates" concluded that creating a registry system is a challenging issue in developing countries; however, it is feasible and leads to development of nationwide data bases. [5]Coats (2009) in his study "Beyond the Trauma Registry" stated that the first step toward a high quality trauma registry system is a proper information center or MDS. [6]Executive regulations associated with mandatory use of seat belt and helmet which was a joint proposal by interior, justice, industries and mines, and road and transport ministries was passed in cabinet meeting dated on March 17, 2001and was delivered on April 10, 2001; however, it wasn’t forced until 2005. According to the study, the rate of deaths due to accidents has been 13% a year before the law enforcement and 9.7% a year after it. [7]Conclusion: Obviously, without reflection and dissemination of information and statistics on the causes of traffic accidents, organizations, responsible authorities, and policy makers wouldn’t pass the above regulations. Since information is the basis of decision making, it would be better to establish a Minimum Data Set for local and national accidents so that stemming and designing preventive programs is possible.
Keywords
)