NApoli – Serious alarm raised by the Hospital Trust Cardarelli: approximately 10% of emergency medical services in the last decade have been due to injuries caused by road accidents, with a worrying increase in minor victims.
Doctors in the Emergency Room, Trauma Center, Neurosurgery, Orthopedics, and Intensive Care Units are reporting the critical situation, where an increasing number of young motorcyclists are arriving with life-threatening injuries. The increase was also confirmed by ANSA: a sharp increase in accidents and serious injuries among patients in the city hospital's wards.
According to Patrizio Festa, head of the Trauma Center, summer is exacerbating the situation: "Accidents involving mopeds, e-bikes, and pedestrians are on the rise. Bone fractures are manageable, but head and chest injuries, along with pelvic fractures, are putting a strain on healthcare workers."
An alarming fact concerns head trauma: in many cases, not even a helmet protects against fatal injuries, as explained by Francesco Imperatore, director of the Emergency Department (DEA), who adds: "Failure to follow the rules for use—helmet, caution when driving—can be costly, with permanent or fatal injuries."
On the treatment front, the Cardarelli is at the forefront of interventional radiology, directed by Raffaella Niola, who has drastically reduced mortality from complex fractures, such as those of the pelvis, thanks to embolization of damaged vessels.
Despite progress, doctors emphasize the urgent need for road safety education and primary prevention, which are essential for reducing accidents. For professionals, the message is clear: "Summer, leisure time, and travel increase the risk, but following the rules can save lives."
Article published on 9 July 2025 - 15:46
