In 2005, the Kentucky Poison Control Center (PCC) recorded 46,625 poisoning calls; 27% received hospital treatment. Probabilistic data linkage of accidental poisoning inpatient hospital (IPH) discharge data and PCC data (years 2000–2004) was performed. This study compared IPH with/without preexisting medical conditions and IPH with/without PCC consultation, examining total length of stay and total hospitalization charges. When compared to the IPH reference group with no preexisting medical conditions and who did not consult the PCC (mean charges = $8748, mean length of stay = 3.2 d), PCC consultation without a preexisting medical condition was significantly associated with decreased total hospitalization charges and decreased length of stay (mean charges = $4999, mean length of stay = 1.9 d). When the patient had a preexisting medical condition, PCC consultation was still associated with decreased total hospitalization charges and length of stay (mean charges = $8145, mean length of stay = 2.4 d) compared to those patients with a preexisting medical condition who did not consult the PCC (mean charges = $10,607, mean length of stay = 3.6 d). These results suggest that after accounting for a patient's age and gender, consultation with the PCC is significantly associated with reduced total hospitalization charges and reduced length of stay for IPH, and this association holds for patients with and without a preexisting medical condition.

Multiple heavy truck driver injury studies exist, but there is a paucity of research on light and medium truck driver injuries. The objective of this study was to use first report of injury (FROI) data to: (a) compare demographic and injury characteristics; (b) assess workers' compensation (WC) claim disposition and lost work time status; and (c) describe injury scenarios by vehicle type for heavy truck and light/medium truck driver local crashes. Kentucky Department of Workers' Claims FROI quantitative and free text data were analyzed for years 2010-2019. Of 800 total FROIs, 451 involved heavy trucks and 349 involved light or medium trucks. There was a higher light/medium truck driver crash FROI rate compared to the heavy truck driver crash FROI rate. There was a higher proportion of younger light/medium truck driver crash FROIs compared to younger heavy truck driver crash FROIs. The retail trade industry made up the largest percentage of light/medium truck local crash FROIs (47%); the transportation and warehousing industry was most frequently cited in heavy truck FROIs (46%). The heavy truck types most frequently identified in FROIs were semi-trucks (13%) and dump trucks (11%). The most common light/medium truck type identified was delivery trucks (30%). Most commonly, heavy truck crash FROIs involved rollovers, driving off/overcorrecting on narrow roadways, and driving downhill/unable to downshift. Light/medium truck crash FROIs most frequently involved being rear-ended, running red lights, and turning in front of other vehicles. The utilization of WC FROI data highlighted top injury scenarios and specific vehicle types for targeting driver safety training among truck drivers, particularly light/medium truck drivers. Road safety policies regarding driver training, crash reviews, and in-vehicle monitoring systems are needed for truck drivers with previous crash injuries, especially for light and medium truck drivers. Enhanced safety training on speeding on narrow roadways, on nearing intersections, and on downshifting on hills is needed for semi-truck, dump truck, and coal truck drivers with previous crash injuries. Rear-end crash prevention training (e.g., gradual stopping and checking mirrors) is needed for drivers of furniture, automotive parts and accessories, and groceries and soft drink delivery trucks with previous crash injuries.