Survivors of motor vehicle trauma

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Abstract
Objective: To determine whether the protective effects of seat belt use on acute injury are followed by corresponding reductions in outpatient health care utilization. Design: Retrospective cohort analysis. Setting: Northern California Region Kaiser Health Plan hospitals and medical offices. Patients: All Kaiser Foundation Health Plan members injured in motor vehicle crashes in Santa Clara County during one year (total number of patients=246). Measurements and main results: 54% of the study participants had been wearing seat belts at the time of injury, and 46% had not been. The belted patients had fewer head injuries (30% vs 50%, pConclusions: Seat belt use does not result in lower utilization of follow-up outpatient services in the year following injury. However, the beneficial effects on acute care utilization more than offset the marginal effects on subsequent medical services utilization.