Summary

Firearm injury cases and deaths are those classified in the International statistical classification of diseases and related health problems, 10th revision, Australian modification (NCCC 2012) and the 10th Revision of the International Classification of Diseases (WHO 1992) respectively, as unintentional (W32–W34), intentional self-harm (X72–X74), assault(X93–X95), undetermined intent (Y22–Y24) and Legal intervention involving firearm discharge (Y35.0).

The number of hospitalised cases in 2013–14 excludes those who died after being admitted to hospital. The data were sourced from the AIHW’s National Hospital Morbidity Database for 2013–14, which covers all (admitted) episodes of care in Australian hospitals. To reduce double counting, records with a mode of admission reported as a transfer from another hospital were excluded.

Deaths registered in 2011 and earlier are based on the final version of cause-of-death data; deaths registered in 2012 and 2013 are based on revised and preliminary versions, respectively, and are subject to further revision by the ABS. In particular, some of the deaths classified as ‘event of undetermined intent’ are likely to be re-coded by the ABS to more specific causes as more information becomes available in the National Coronial Information System.