Review of Statutory Obligations for Reporting Ballistic Injuries
Background:. Traumatic ballistic injury is an unfortunate and commonly encountered problem seen by surgeons. An estimated 85,694 nonfatal ballistic injuries occur annually, and in 2020 there were 45,222 firearm-related deaths in the United States. Surgeons of all subspecialties may provide necessary...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Wolters Kluwer
2023-03-01
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| Series: | Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Global Open |
| Online Access: | http://journals.lww.com/prsgo/fulltext/10.1097/GOX.0000000000004832 |
| _version_ | 1827979171684417536 |
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| author | Kristina T. Gemayel, DO, MS Matthew E. Hiro, MD Rachel R. Sullivan, BS Wyatt G. Payne, MD, FACS |
| author_facet | Kristina T. Gemayel, DO, MS Matthew E. Hiro, MD Rachel R. Sullivan, BS Wyatt G. Payne, MD, FACS |
| author_sort | Kristina T. Gemayel, DO, MS |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background:. Traumatic ballistic injury is an unfortunate and commonly encountered problem seen by surgeons. An estimated 85,694 nonfatal ballistic injuries occur annually, and in 2020 there were 45,222 firearm-related deaths in the United States. Surgeons of all subspecialties may provide necessary care. Acute care injuries are generally reported to authorities immediately; however, delayed presentation of ballistic injuries may go unreported despite regulations to do so. We present a case of a delayed ballistic injury and a comparative review of individual states’ reporting requirements to highlight statutory obligations and penalties as an educational reference for surgeons treating ballistic injuries.
Methods:. Google and PubMed searches were performed utilizing keywords “ballistic,” “gunshot,” “physician,” and “reporting” as terms. Inclusion criteria included the English language, official state statute sites, legal and scientific articles, and websites. Exclusion criteria included nongovernmental sites and information sources. Data collected were analyzed to include statute numbers, time to report, infraction consequences, and monetary fines. The resultant data are reported by state and region.
Results:. All but two state jurisdictions mandate healthcare providers to report knowledge and/or treatment of ballistic injuries, regardless of the timeline of injury. Violations of mandatory reporting may lead to fines or imprisonment, depending on the specific state. The timeline for reporting, fines, and subsequent legal action varies by state and region.
Conclusions:. Requirements for reporting injuries exist in 48 of 50 states. The treating physician/surgeon should thoughtfully question patients with a chronic ballistic injury history and provide reports to local law enforcement. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-09T21:32:58Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-cff8bde195e64663a7ba004d6c09cd72 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2169-7574 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-09T21:32:58Z |
| publishDate | 2023-03-01 |
| publisher | Wolters Kluwer |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Global Open |
| spelling | doaj.art-cff8bde195e64663a7ba004d6c09cd722023-03-27T06:47:44ZengWolters KluwerPlastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Global Open2169-75742023-03-01113e483210.1097/GOX.0000000000004832202303000-00011Review of Statutory Obligations for Reporting Ballistic InjuriesKristina T. Gemayel, DO, MS0Matthew E. Hiro, MD1Rachel R. Sullivan, BS2Wyatt G. Payne, MD, FACS3From the * Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University of South Florida, Tampa, Fla.From the * Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University of South Florida, Tampa, Fla.† Institute for Tissue Regeneration, Repair, and Rehabilitation, CW Young Bay Pines VA Healthcare System, Surgical Service, Bay Pines, Fla.From the * Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University of South Florida, Tampa, Fla.Background:. Traumatic ballistic injury is an unfortunate and commonly encountered problem seen by surgeons. An estimated 85,694 nonfatal ballistic injuries occur annually, and in 2020 there were 45,222 firearm-related deaths in the United States. Surgeons of all subspecialties may provide necessary care. Acute care injuries are generally reported to authorities immediately; however, delayed presentation of ballistic injuries may go unreported despite regulations to do so. We present a case of a delayed ballistic injury and a comparative review of individual states’ reporting requirements to highlight statutory obligations and penalties as an educational reference for surgeons treating ballistic injuries. Methods:. Google and PubMed searches were performed utilizing keywords “ballistic,” “gunshot,” “physician,” and “reporting” as terms. Inclusion criteria included the English language, official state statute sites, legal and scientific articles, and websites. Exclusion criteria included nongovernmental sites and information sources. Data collected were analyzed to include statute numbers, time to report, infraction consequences, and monetary fines. The resultant data are reported by state and region. Results:. All but two state jurisdictions mandate healthcare providers to report knowledge and/or treatment of ballistic injuries, regardless of the timeline of injury. Violations of mandatory reporting may lead to fines or imprisonment, depending on the specific state. The timeline for reporting, fines, and subsequent legal action varies by state and region. Conclusions:. Requirements for reporting injuries exist in 48 of 50 states. The treating physician/surgeon should thoughtfully question patients with a chronic ballistic injury history and provide reports to local law enforcement.http://journals.lww.com/prsgo/fulltext/10.1097/GOX.0000000000004832 |
| spellingShingle | Kristina T. Gemayel, DO, MS Matthew E. Hiro, MD Rachel R. Sullivan, BS Wyatt G. Payne, MD, FACS Review of Statutory Obligations for Reporting Ballistic Injuries Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Global Open |
| title | Review of Statutory Obligations for Reporting Ballistic Injuries |
| title_full | Review of Statutory Obligations for Reporting Ballistic Injuries |
| title_fullStr | Review of Statutory Obligations for Reporting Ballistic Injuries |
| title_full_unstemmed | Review of Statutory Obligations for Reporting Ballistic Injuries |
| title_short | Review of Statutory Obligations for Reporting Ballistic Injuries |
| title_sort | review of statutory obligations for reporting ballistic injuries |
| url | http://journals.lww.com/prsgo/fulltext/10.1097/GOX.0000000000004832 |
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