Implementation of Upper Extremity Trauma Registry: A Pilot Study.

Area of Science:

• Trauma surgery
• Epidemiology
• Public health

Background:

• Hand traumas are prevalent, particularly among young men, impacting their socioeconomic well-being.
• Occupational accidents are a primary cause of hand injuries, underscoring the need for preventive strategies.
• Clinical registries are crucial for epidemiological surveys and quality improvement in trauma care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the initial phase of establishing an upper extremity trauma registry.
• To detail the process of data collection, including questionnaire design and software development.
• To assess the feasibility and accuracy of implementing such a registry.

Main Methods:

• A questionnaire was developed to capture patient demographics, injury patterns, and medical history.
• Data collection initially utilized a paper-based system, followed by a transition to a web-based software.
• A 2-month paper-based data collection period was followed by evaluation and refinement before a 4-month software-based phase.

Main Results:

• The registry recorded 1675 upper extremity trauma cases between November 2019 and March 2020.
• Data accuracy was approximately 95.5%, with missing information primarily related to associated injuries and job experience.
• Specific injury mechanisms were identified as potentially unique to the Iranian community, requiring targeted prevention.

Conclusions:

• Accurate upper extremity trauma data can be collected with dedicated registry personnel and plastic surgery supervision.
• The identified injury patterns provide valuable insights for research and policy development aimed at prevention.
• Establishing a robust trauma registry is essential for understanding and mitigating the impact of upper extremity injuries.