Jacksonville, FL - In October 2010, the Health Planning Council of Northeast Florida (HPC) announced its topic for the 2011 Utilization Study: ER and Hospital Admissions from Youth Sport-Related Concussions or Head Injuries.   After selecting the topic, the HPC worked on assembling and convening a group of representatives from area hospitals to form the study council that would determine the research questions and begin collecting and analyzing the local data.  The study council consists of representatives from the following: Florida Hospital, Orange Park Medical Center, Nemours, Halifax Medical Center, Flagler Hospital, Shands Jacksonville, St. Vincent's/St. Luke's, Brooks Health, Mayo Clinic, Baker County Hospital Authority, Wolfson Children's Hospital, Memorial Health, Agency for Health Care Administration, Jacksonville Sports Medicine Program, Duval County Medical Society, Jacksonville Jaguars, as well a pediatrician and a neuro-psychologist.

At their first meeting in December 2010, the group finalized the core research questions: 1.) What is the incidence and prevalence of sport-related concussions for children between the ages of 10-18 presenting in emergency rooms in Northeast Florida Acute Care hospitals between the years 2004-2009? 2.) What is the admission rate of sport-related concussions for children between the ages of 10-18 presenting in emergency rooms in Northeast Florida Acute Care hospitals between the years 2004-2009? 3.) Is there a difference between hospital admissions, discharges, length of stay, and payer source associated with concussions for children between the ages of 10-18 presenting in an emergency room in Northeast Florida Acute Care hospitals between the years 2004-2009? 4.) What is the utilization rate for neuro-imaging (i.e. CT scans) for children between the ages of 10-18 presenting in emergency rooms in Northeast Florida Acute Care hospitals between the years 2004-2009?

With the questions in place, the HPC was then able to collect data from the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA).  With this information, the study council members were able to begin analyzing the data and work towards answering the research questions.  Their preliminary findings are starting to paint a picture of incidence and prevalence of concussions in our area. You can view a snapshot of the data reports at: http://www.hpcnef.org/publications/health-needs-assessments/.  The Health Planning Council of Northeast Florida is available for any additional information regarding these initial findings.   Please contact Dr. Dawn Emerick at dawn_emerick@hpcnef.org or (904)233-7212 with any questions or concerns.

The study results are set to be released at the HPC Annual Meeting on Thursday, October 27, 2011.  Until then, the study council will continue to meet and collect and analyze data.  In-depth interviews of Emergency Department physicians will be conducted in the coming months.

The Health Planning Council of Northeast Florida has been addressing the healthcare needs of Baker, Clay, Duval, Flagler, Nassau, St. Johns, and Volusia counties (Region 4) for more than 40 years under a variety of federal, state, and local health planning initiatives. We strive to meet Florida's healthcare challenges through planning, research and evaluation initiatives that target local healthcare needs and affect health policy.