Impact on the health service in the Top End, Northern Territory following the introduction of an electric scooter sharing service

Objective: To investigate patients presenting to EDs following the recent introduction of a shared electric scooter (e-scooter) scheme in Northern Territory (NT). Methods: We conducted a prospective observational cohort study in Darwin, a regional city in NT, Australia with a population of approximately 150 000. Any patient who disclosed involvement of an e-scooter in the reason for their presentation to the ED was included. A descriptive analysis was derived for age, sex, triage time, alcohol level, injury type and the requirement of operating theatre, inpatient stay or ED discharge. Categorical variables were analysed using χ²-tests, with odds ratios (ORs), 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and P-values reported. Costing analysis to ED of attendances and inpatient hospital admissions was undertaken. Results: There were 111 presentations over the 8-month study period (January–September 2021). Forty-nine percent (n = 51) of patients were male and 51% (n = 54) were female. Extremity (n = 70) and craniofacial (n = 61) injuries were most common and approximately a quarter of patients (n = 24) required operative management for injuries sustained. Approximately half (n = 51) of patients were intoxicated and the average alcohol level of those tested was 0.18% (range 0.05–0.49%). The average cost per ED attendance was AU$777 and total cost of inpatient admissions being AU$352 255. All inpatient admissions were a result of injury while intoxicated. Conclusion: Harm minimisations strategies targeting implementation of alcohol testing and penalties for riders may be able to reduce the effect that the introduction of e-scooters on the strained health system in the NT.