Atlanta – Approximately 21.8 million people older than 15 suffered unintentional injuries in bathrooms in 2008, according to a report released June 10 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. More than 234,000 of these injuries required emergency department treatment – nearly 14 percent of which led to hospitalization.
The number of injuries averaged about 640 per day, and more than 80 percent were related to falls. The head and neck were recorded as the most frequently injured body part. More than 65 percent of bathroom injuries occurred in or near tubs and showers. The rate of injury increased with age, as did the severity of injury. People 65 and older experienced the highest rate of fractures and hospitalizations.
According to CDC, the number of injuries could be reduced by making simple changes such as installing grab bars.
