Epidemiology of Electrical Product Injuries in Scottish Hospitals

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Epidemiology of Electrical Product-Related Injuries Attending Hospital in Scotland and their Prevention: A Pilot Project

• IRAS ID

  354872

• Contact name

  Stephen Adrian Bridgman

• Contact email

  Stephen.Bridgman@phs.scot

• Sponsor organisation

  Public Health Scotland

• Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier

  PHS2024-25R013, Public Health Scotland Activity Log

• Duration of Study in the UK

  1 years, 11 months, 31 days

• Research summary

  Background and Importance:
  We currently do not know how many injuries across Scotland are linked to electrical products and who typically sustains these injuries.
  There is no clear system for tracking these injuries, making it difficult to improve safety. This study will fill that gap by investigating the causes and trends of electrical product-related injuries in Scotland, to support prevention.

  Research Aim and Questions:
  This study will answer key questions:

  How many people attend emergency departments and are admitted to hospital with injuries caused by electrical products?

  What types of electrical products cause the most harm?

  Who is most at risk of these injuries?

  How can we improve safety and prevent future injuries?

  Study Design and Methods:

  WP1: Data will be collected from selected Emergency Departments in Scotland, who will put in place enhanced quality processes to improve case ascertainment as current quality of routinely coded data in emergency departments is too poor to use, to describe the number, rates and type of injuries and the demography of those injured.

  WP2: Surveying patients who have had an electrical injury (not collected routinely, voluntary participation from those who consent)

  The initial online/ paper survey will collect details on the type of product involved, injury circumstances, and purchase history, to best ascertain the types of electrical products that cause harm, and to describe the demography of those injured.
  The follow up interview to assess the long term impact of the patients injuries will be conducted via telephone.

  WP3: Analysing Hospital admission data (SMR01 data) to describe the number, rates and type of injuries and the demography of those injured (this data is collected routinely)

  WP4: Analysing data from the Care of Burns in Scotland (COBIS) to identify electrical burn injuries, including injury severity, treatment details, and patient outcomes, to highlight specific risks associated with these burns. (Routinely collected)

  Who Can Take Part?
  Patients attending emergency departments with an injury linked to an electrical product may be asked to complete a short survey. This is voluntary, and all answers will remain confidential.

  Funding and Locations:
  This study is supported by Public Health Scotland in collaboration with Electrical Safety First (ESF). Data will be collected from selected hospitals, including Queen Elizabeth University Hospital and Royal Children's Hospital in Glasgow, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital

  Potential Benefits:
  Findings will help policymakers, and safety organisations improve regulations, raise awareness, and reduce the number of injuries caused by electrical products in Scotland.

• REC name

  East of England - Cambridge Central Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  25/EE/0082

• Date of REC Opinion

  22 Apr 2025

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion