Non-fatal conductive energy device-related injuries treated in US emergency departments, 2005–2008

This paper provides the first US estimates and rates of non-fatal conductive energy device (CED)-related (eg, Taser) injuries relative to other types of legal intervention injuries treated in hospital emergency departments (EDs). The data used for this study were from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS), including the Firearm Injury Surveillance Study (NEISS-FISS) and the All Injury Program (NEISS-AIP). Of an average annual 75,000 suspects treated for non-fatal legal intervention injuries, 11% had injuries that were associated with the use of a CED or Taser. Of the suspects with non-fatal CED-related injuries, 90.1% were males, 72.6% were 20-44 years of age, and 55.2% were injured to the trunk. Most suspects with CED-related injuries (93.6%) were treated and released from the hospital ED. The authors conclude that NEISS is a useful data source for CED-related injuries in the US; estimates from NEISS emphasise the importance of implementing CED safety guidelines by law enforcement officers and training of medical personnel to help reduce the risk of severe injury and potential adverse health consequences.