Hand injuries from tools in domestic and leisure settings: Relative incidence and patterns of initial management

摘要

A search of the UK Department of Trade and Industry's Home and Leisure Accident database found 16,003 emergency hospital attendances in 2000-2002 following accidents with tools. The hand was the site of injury in 9535 cases (60%). The tool most commonly involved was a Stanley knife, causing as many hand injuries (21%) as all power tools combined. The power tools most frequently causing hand injury were circular saws (28% of power tool injuries), hedge trimmers (21%) and electric drills (17%). Compared to injuries from manual tools, power tool hand injuries were more than twice as likely to be referred to specialists and three times more likely to be admitted to hospital. Specialist referral/admission most commonly occurred following hand injury from mowers (51% admitted/referred), routers (50%) and circular saws (48%). The rate for manual blade injuries was 14%. Missed diagnoses following manual blade injuries may stem from comparatively low rates of specialist assessment.