The Epidemiology of Hand and Finger Lacerations in United States Emergency Departments

Authors

Alexis B. Sandler, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, District of Columbia; Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, William Beaumont Army Medical Center, El Paso, Texas.
John P. Scanaliato, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, William Beaumont Army Medical Center, El Paso, Texas.
Sorana Raiciulescu, Department of Preventative Medicine and Biostatistics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland.
Leon J. Nesti, Department of Surgery, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland.
John C. Dunn, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, William Beaumont Army Medical Center, El Paso, Texas.

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

2-14-2022

Journal

The Journal of emergency medicine

DOI

10.1016/j.jemermed.2021.12.022

Keywords

Emergency department; Emergency medicine; Epidemiology; Finger; Hand; Hand surgery; Injury; Laceration; Public health

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Hand and finger lacerations presenting to U.S. emergency departments (EDs) are common, although the burden of these injuries is not well understood. OBJECTIVE: Our aim is to describe the epidemiology and causes of hand and finger lacerations in U.S. EDs. METHODS: This National Electronic Injury Surveillance System database review investigates hand and finger lacerations presenting to EDs in the United States from 2015 to 2019. RESULTS: Annually, hand and finger lacerations account for 243,844 and 587,451 ED visits, respectively. Affected patients are frequently White (70.5%), male (63.4%), and aged 18 through 44 years (46.3%). The top three products linked to hand and finger lacerations are knives (30.5%), metal containers (4.2%), and drinkware (3.8%), and men are less likely to have injuries from these products than women, especially knives (odds ratio 0.76; 95% confidence interval 0.60-0.96; p < 0.02). Although a minority of hand and finger lacerations involve alcohol (1.2%), men have greater rates of alcohol involvement than women (χ = 11.7; p < 0.001). Lacerations frequently occur in the home (61.3%). Many patients (44.2%) present to very large hospitals, and nearly one-half of patients younger than 5 years and one-third of patients aged 5 through 17 years present to pediatric hospitals. Most patients (97.4%) are treated and released without admission and 0.2% are transferred to another hospital. Patients with alcohol, drug, or medication involvement are more likely to leave against medical advice, be admitted, or held for observation (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Hand and finger lacerations result in a significant number of ED visits. A better understanding of injury trends and presentations can guide injury prevention in manufacturing, education, and public health.

APA Citation

Sandler, Alexis B.; Scanaliato, John P.; Raiciulescu, Sorana; Nesti, Leon J.; and Dunn, John C., "The Epidemiology of Hand and Finger Lacerations in United States Emergency Departments" (2022). GW Authored Works. Paper 298.
https://hsrc.himmelfarb.gwu.edu/gwhpubs/298

Department

School of Medicine and Health Sciences Student Works