ABSTRACT
This is a study of different aspects of the problem of urgent traumatic cases admitted to the Accident and Emergency Department Saddam General Hospital, Mosul The study presents Information on the magnitude of the problem facing an accident department. The emphasis is on the pattern of injuries and on those who really need admission. A total number of 2810 traumatic cases were admitted to the Accident and Emergency Department during the period from January 1992 to January 1993. The patients were evaluated and classified according to age, sex, type and cause of injuries, timing of admission and hospital stay. The result shows that the majority of patients were male [72%] with male: female ratio of 2.6:1.0 and children aged below 10 years constituted [31.3%]. The average time of hospitalization was 2.4 days and majority of cases [86.8%] were discharged shortly after arrival. Most of the cases [48%] were due to direct blunt trauma, fall comes next [24.3%] The commonest time of admission was between 3 pm to 12 midnight, and 8 am to 3 pm [52.2%] and [42.2%] respectively. August, September and October were the months of high Incidence [37%]. The implication of these findings on future planning is discussed