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Hand problems in an accident and emergency department
Journal of Hand Surgery (Edinburgh, Scotland)
|October 1, 1985
Summary
A prospective study analyzed 1,074 hand injuries at an Accident and Emergency Department. Most patients required minor treatment, but 5% needed surgical admission, highlighting the burden of hand trauma.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Trauma Surgery
- Emergency Medicine
Background:
- Hand injuries are common presentations to emergency departments.
- Understanding the epidemiology and management of hand trauma is crucial for resource allocation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To prospectively analyze the characteristics and outcomes of consecutive hand problems presenting to an Accident and Emergency Department.
- To determine the proportion of hand injuries requiring admission for surgery.
Main Methods:
- Prospective observational study.
- Inclusion of 1,074 consecutive hand problems over an eight-week period.
- Data collection on patient demographics, injury timing, initial management, and surgical admission rates.
Main Results:
- Hand problems constituted 20% of all accident attendances.
- Over 40% of patients were males aged 12-29 years.
- 55 patients (5%) required hospital admission for surgical intervention.
Conclusions:
- Hand injuries represent a significant workload in Accident and Emergency Departments.
- A small but important percentage of hand injuries necessitate surgical management, emphasizing the need for specialized care pathways.