Firearm-related injury surveillance in Colorado

Abstract

CONTEXT: The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment uses existing data sources to identify and assess firearm-related deaths and injuries statewide. OBJECTIVE: Implementation and evaluation of a surveillance system for fatal and hospitalized nonfatal firearm-related injuries. DESIGN: Electronic death certificate and hospital discharge data are used to identify firearm-related deaths and injuries. Cases are confirmed and supplemental information is obtained from the Colorado Uniform Crime Report/Supplemental Homicide Report, police investigations, medical records, and newspaper accounts. Electronic data sets are created containing the information manually abstracted from these s..