Hand and wrist malpractice claims in The Netherlands: 1993-2008

We analysed hand and wrist injury and disorder related liability claims in the Netherlands to identify causes and to contribute to the prevention of such claims. Data was collected from 743 hand and wrist claims filed between 1993 and 2007. Consultants were involved in 417 claims (56.1%). Treatment in the emergency department (ED) accounted for 64.9% of these 287 claims involved residents (59.5%). The majority of accepted claims in the ED included treatment by general surgeons (89.2%). The percentage of accepted claims was highest in the general surgery group (26.4%). Of accepted claims in the ED which involved a resident, 93.2% involved a general surgery resident. Better training and supervision is indicated. This paper supports hand injury treatment by adequately trained surgeons and preferably, where possible, by a trained hand surgeon.