National injury and accident monitoring system: RETRACE

Recognised as being a public health priority, in view of its consequences in terms of mortality, morbidity and disability, in Europe the prevention of accidents and injuries is a flagship programme, in which many countries are involved.
Information about the causes and circumstances of accidents is needed to gain a clearer insight into the matter, so that health promotion and prevention can be strategically and efficiently planned. With that goal in mind, a system known as RETRACE (REcueil d’informations sur les TRaumatismes et ACcidEnts – Monitoring Injuries and Accidents in Luxembourg) was set up in emergency departments in Luxembourg in 2012, complying with the methodological principles defined by the European Injury Database (IDB) programme. RETRACE is the result of close collaboration between the Ministry of Health and Social Security, partner hospitals and the Luxembourg Institute of Health.

This system for monitoring accidents and injuries in Luxembourg is used to:

• collect information about the number and nature of injuries and accidents (each year),
• shed light on where and how these injuries and accidents occur,
• identify the seriousness of the accidents and their consequences,
• study the worst-affected population sectors (adolescents, elderly people, etc.),
• analyse the objects and materials involved in accidents,
• measure the impact of accidents and injuries at an individual, social and economic level,
• establish a preventive programme tailored to the Luxembourg context.