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injuries (75.4%) occurred in the 30-69 year age group. The elderly age bracket (70+ years) showed the lowest frequency of hand injuries admitted to A&E (11.2%), but the highest proportion of injuries requiring follow up in secondary care (44.8%, p=0.002). Altogether, 37% (p=0.002) of hand injuries sustained across all age groups resulted in hospital care, with a further 22.8% (p=0.002) requiring care in the community. The power tools most commonly causing injury were found to be circular saws (28.6%) and hedge trimmers (27.4%), cumulatively accounting for the majority (56%) of hand injuries studied. Hedge trimmers, were accountable for the majority of injuries amongst females (56.6%) whilst circular saw accounted for the majority (30.9%) amongst males.
Twenty percent of patients attending A&E have hand injuries, equating to more than 1.36 million attendances in the UK per year [1]. The hands prove to be greatly vulnerable to injury during Do-it-Yourself (DIY) activities due to their necessity in most tasks and their close proximity to the hazardous components of the power tools. UK studies show that hand trauma is a consequence in approximately a quarter of all DIY activities [2] equating to upwards of 200,000 hospital visits each year; of which, 87,000 are specifically due to power tools [3]. These figures are likely to remain high according to The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), who state that the current economic climate has led to an increase in people choosing to undertake DIY activities rather than hiring a professional labourer. An audit of hand injuries [4] identified serious shortcomings in service provision; stating that treatment was often delayed by over 24 hours due to lack of available theatres (62%) and shortage of staff (13%). The predicted increase in hand injuries and current lack of services available highlights the importance of devising preventative measures. This is particularly relevant as a UK economic analysis showed that costs of this kind of injury tripled between 1990 and 2000, amounting to a over 100 million in healthcare costs in 2000 [5]. Hand trauma can have a major impact on an individuals life. Frank et al. states that the socioeconomic impact of these injuries is immense, explaining that patients can suffer from significant losses in wages and potential earnings [6]. Additionally, patients are vulnerable to psychosocial implications as the human hand is so instrumental in independence and care giving [7, 8]. It is evident that the prevention of hand injuries sustained domestically can not only have significant benefits to an individuals life but also to the healthcare system as a whole. For this reason, such injury prevention should be a focus in emergency medicine. Previous preventative
Figure 1: a) Distribution of injuries to one finger only; b) distribution of simultaneous injuries to two fingers; c) distribution of simultaneous injuries to three fingers
The studies discussed are limited in that they only assess the pattern of injury specific to a single power tool. To develop an understanding of trends in hand injury from a broader sample of power tools, the terms DIY, power tools and hand injury were inserted into an advanced scholarly search engine. A British, cross sectional study by Williams and Power [13] was recovered and cited circular saws (21%), hedge trimmers (21%) and electric drills (17%) as the power tools most commonly associated with such injury. Although their study suggests that power tools only account for 25% of domestically sustained hand injuries, 94.6% of these cases went on to require specialist care, indicating the high level of healthcare provision attributed to these injuries. There are evident limitations in the studies reviewed. Conn et als surveillance database, for instance, demonstrated so much insufficiency in patient records that in a quarter of cases (25.2%) the digits involved were not specified [10]. As their surveillance system only gathered data for finger amputations treated in A&E, those treated in outpatient clinics were not included. Likewise, it is difficult to have complete confidence in the results from Frank et als study as circular saws, in America, have been attributed to self-inflicted harm in cases of insurance fraud [14]. Since they included subjects with insufficient medical documentation and there was negligent accident analysis, this limitation cannot be completely ruled out [9]. In all of these studies, there is a lack of clear insight into the behavioural components that lead to injury. Conn et al. notes: Studies are needed to assess how human factors increase the
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Demographic trends of hand injuries related to power tool use in the domestic setting. Trends in treatment outcome related to specific power tool use. Behavioural patterns that lead to power tool-related DIY injury
We hope that our research will motivate further investigation into preventative measures specific to the identified at risk groups, and their behavioural patterns.
Null Hypotheses
There is no difference in age or gender distribution of hand injuries. No one tool is responsible for the majority of incidents. There is no relationship between injury from a specific tool and age or gender. There is no relationship between injury from a specific power tool and the resultant treatment outcome. There is not one specific behavioural pattern responsible for DIY related hand injuries.
Manipulation of Dataset The data was first refined to only include the cases specific to our project. To do this, Power Tools in Domestic Setting was entered into the database search engine, allowing the exclusion of any injuries not sustained by power tool use and occurring in non-domestic settings (appendix, table 2). This
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100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% 0-29 30-69
Value Pearson Chi-Square Likelihood Ratio N of Valid Cases 24.050
a
UNSPECIFIED NO TREATMENT REQUIRED AFTER A+E VISIT IMMEDIATE SPECIALIST ATTENTION REQUIRED HOSPITAL CARE COMMUNITY CARE
70+
df 8 8 Asymp. Sig. (2-sided) p = 0.002 .003
23.677 1806
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Injury Results An outcome analysis showed that circular saws and hedge trimmers accounted for 66.7% (p=0.002) of specialist care review, and 87.7% (p=0.002) of immediate specialist attention [see figure 3 below; appendix, table 12]. In 2002 there was an increase in the proportion of injuries sustained that required specialist review, and a reduced proportion of injuries managed at the community level, compared to 2000 (p = 0.105) [Appendix, table 13].
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df 7
P value .002
Figure 3: A histogram depicting number of cases and treatment outcome by power tool.
Behavioural Results The aim of our behavioural analysis was to broadly determine whether the majority of the injuries sustained resulted from a fault in the patients conduct; or due to a fault in the tools mechanism whilst in use. The former cause of injury was classified as behavioural, and the latter was termed mechanical. Finally, a third category termed unspecified contained accounts that were difficult or too vague to classify with confidence. The group that was responsible for the highest proportion of injuries was the behavioural group, accounting for the majority (51.4%) of injuries sustained [see figure 4 below; appendix, table
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Amongst those cases with an attributable cause to injury, a detailed analysis showed that atypical positioning was the commonest behavioural cause (20.4%) [appendix, table 15], and the leading cause of injury amongst middle-aged individuals (20.2%, p=0.015) [appendix, table 16]. The tools that most commonly associated atypical positioning injury included hedge trimmers (32%), drills (25%), and circular saws (20.6%) [appendix, table 15]. Cases acquiring injuries from these tools collectively accounted for 79.8% of injury requiring secondary care follow-up (p=0.002) [appendix, table 17]. Thus, atypical positioning accounted for the greatest proportion of healthcare provision, responsible for 30.2% of cases with an attributable cause requiring follow-up specialist attention (appendix, table 12). Complacency (16.4%) and distraction/inattention (10.1%) were the most common behavioural causes leading to injury after atypical positioning [appendix, table 15]. Both were shown to be most commonly associated with injury from hedge trimmers, accounting for 30.9% and 23.3% (respectively) of cases with attributable cause [appendix, table 15]. These behaviours showed marked gender differences: amongst those injuries serious enough to warrant specialist attention, males were more complacent relative to their female counterparts (cause of 16.1% of injuries in men compared to 13.3% in women, p=0.081) [appendix, table 20], while women suffered more from
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Discussion
From a database of 4131 cases we determined that 1806 were relevant to this study. On the basis of these cases we conducted our demographic analysis, severity analysis and behaviour analysis. Demographic Analysis An overwhelming majority of injuries resulting from power tool use were found to occur in men (89.5%) between the ages of 30-69 (75.4%), suggesting that high-risk domestic DIY tasks are performed chiefly by this population. The injuries sustained in this study group were most
commonly caused by circular saws and hedge trimmers (54.8%). A relevant outcome analysis identified that this age group accounted for the highest volume of cases (860) requiring secondary care after A/E admission. While this may be true, a greater proportion of the elderly population (of 70+) required secondary care (44.8%, p = 0.002); again, mostly due to circular saws (42.9%) and hedge trimmers (29.1%). These results have a significant implication to healthcare provision when considering an ageing population. According to current literature, an increasing trend of DIY tool use is predicted by most authors in accordance with the current economic climate. The UK National Estimates of power tool related injuries between 2000 and 2002 (provided by RoSPA, n = 4131) back up these predictions by showing increasing national estimates of such injuries: 24,605 in 2000 rising to 28,270 in 2002. When we investigated the frequency of power tool injury specific to the hands in our study population (n =
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Severity Analysis Our demographic tables show that circular saws and hedge trimmers accounted for the majority of hand injuries acquired (cumulatively, 56%); on further analysis, these power tool injuries also accounted for the highest proportion of secondary care attention required (66.7%, p=0.002). These results illustrate the burden these tools have upon the healthcare system, not just in the shear load of cases requiring attention, but also the high level of healthcare provision which they demand. This is further exemplified in that these tools accounted for 87.7% (p=0.002) of the most severe hand injuries sustained (those requiring immediate specialist attention). A trend analysis in the outcomes of these injuries over the years shows that this burden is likely to increase in the future. Between 2000 and 2002, there was seen to be a statistically significant increase in the cases requiring immediate specialist attention: a rise from 19 cases in 2000 to 22 in 2002 (p=0.044).
Behaviour Analysis When the causes of injuries were grouped into their broader categories (behavioural, mechanical, and unspecified), the majority of hand injuries (51.4%) could be attributed to a behavioural cause. As behavioural causes to injury can be modified, our data would suggest that the majority of hand injuries sustained using power tools at home are avoidable. The specific behaviours most responsible for injury were: atypical positioning (20.4% of all injuries), complacency (16.4%), and distraction/inattention (10.1%). This information provides a basis from which safety and preventative measures can be suggested; for example, preventing injuries from atypical positioning and distraction/inattention can be reduced by promoting supervision or peer support when conducting DIY. Likewise, complacency can be reduced with the provision of sufficient training and education. Our data goes on to suggest that such preventative measures can greatly reduce the burden of such injury to our healthcare system. Of those injuries requiring follow-up after initial presentation, it can be seen that, most of the time, community-level management is not sufficient for those with a behavioural cause. A degree of specialist attention is required for the greater part of these injuries; a cost which we have already shown to be avoidable provided that safer powertool behaviour is promoted and improved.
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Power Tools that dont lend a Helping Hand 2011 Recommendations (for future research)
While our study investigates several key research areas related to domestically sustained hand injuries, our literature review revealed several other areas worthy of investigation. A key at-risk population identified by Conn et al. were children younger than 5-years old who accounted for the highest rate of finger amputations in American emergency departments annually. More research focused at developing preventive measures is especially important in such a young age group as these injuries can carry significant life-long functional restrictions. Additionally, Williams and Power showed that an overwhelming majority of domestically sustained hand injuries are from manual tools, not power tools. The study showed that a Stanley Knife, on its own, caused as many hand injuries leading to A&E admission as all power tool combined. Thus, it can be easily inferred that the healthcare burden from manual tools is still extraordinary and worthy of further investigation. Our research provides a basis to several areas of further investigation. As alluded to in our introduction, the economic impact of these types of injuries is significant. Our data not only suggests that these injuries contribute to a significant financial burden to the NHS currently, but that this burden is likely to increase with an ageing population. Investigation directed at the current and expected costs surrounding these injuries would complete our understanding of their burden. Additionally, we found that the malfunctioning of the power tool accounted for 3.3% of all injuries sustained to the hand, namely in activity involving drills. This finding lends itself to further investigation into the quality assurance criteria involved in tool engineering. As a continuation to this project, we are currently undertaking a study looking to identify measures to prevent the occurrence of power tool related hand injuries in the domestic setting. From the trends that we have described in the mechanisms and behaviours leading to injury, a questionnaire has been developed and distributed amongst healthcare personnel who deal with hand injuries on a regular basis. The aim of this questionnaire is to gather expert opinions regarding the commonest causes of injury, and their suggestions of how to prevent such injury from occurring. The study will be conducted using the Delphi technique, where the questionnaire will circulate amongst the expert panel for a number of cycles, each time being refined and narrowed to only include opinions and suggestions that are widely accepted by the group. The end result will be a common consensus as to what the most common root-cause to injury is, and the important preventative measures that are needed to prevent this from occurring.
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10. Conn J, Annest J, Ryan G et al. Non-Work-Related Finger Amputations in the United States, 20012002. Annals of Emergency Medicine 2005; 45(6):630-5. 11. Bonte W, Goldberg R. Accidental circular saw injuries. Journal of Legal medicine 1982; 89(3):17380. 12. Hoxie S, Capo J, Dennison D, Shin A. The Economic Impact of Electric Saw Injuries to the Hand. Journal of Hand Surgery. 2009; 34(5): 886-889. 13. Williams S, Power D. Hand injuries from tools in domestic and leisure settings: relative incidence and patterns of initial management. Journal of Hand Surgery (European Volume) 2011 14. Bonte W. Self-mutilation and private accident insurance. Journal of Forensic Science 1983; 28(1):70-82.
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Hospitals Sampled
Airedale, Keighley Blackburn Royal Infirmary, Lancs Daisy Hill, Newry George Elliot, Nuneaton Hereford City General, Hereford Kings College, Denmark Hill Luton & Dunstable, Beds Macclesfield General, Cheshire Monklands General, Airdrie Norfolk & Norwich, Norwich North Devon, Barnstaple North Tees General, Stockton Prince Charles, Merthyr Tydfil Royal Berkshire, Reading Selly Oak, Birmingham Skegness and District, Lincs St. Helier, Carshalton Worthing
N.b Two hospitals left the sample during the 2000-2002 reporting period without being replaced. Monklands provided data until the end of June 2001, and Royal Berkshire left the sample at the end of 2001.
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Table 3 - Inclusion criteria for classifying hand injuries Table 3: Inclusion Criteria for Classifying Hand Injuries - Both Hands - Fingers, Thumb, Digit, Phalange - Wrists - Nail
Table 4 - Behaviour coding legend Code 1.1 Behaviour Unspecified (patient does not know how the injury occurred or the history provided by the data was insufficient to ascertain how the injury came about) Other Inexperience (drill bit coming out, drill getting stuck in material, igniting self, not realising being burnt by power tool) Complacency (hand behind drill, fingers too close to saw, poor lighting, patient intoxicated, holding object being cut) Distraction/Inattention (includes not realising machine was on, loss of concentration, patient missing material, not paying attention, multitasking) Lack of Safety Implementations (hand being dragged into saw by gloves or wood) Atypical Hand Position (includes slip/slipping, fell, lost balance, loss of grip, machine not stabilised, catching falling tool) Indirect Mechanical injury (being hurt by material, by power tool when not being used, indirect, hurt from hot surface) Direct Mechanical Injury (Vibration injury, kick back, injured while cleaning, steam from power tool, hot water) Malfunction (tool snapping, electric shock)
2.2
2.3
2.4
2.5
Mechanical 3.1
3.2
3.3
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Hospital Care Discharged IP, Referred Outpatient Clinic Inpatient- Unspec Outcome Inpatient, then transf to other hosp IP for less than one day Referred to any outpatient clinic Other outcome Newark hospital Referred to other hospital Review at a & e 3 days Review 3 days Review a & e 4 days See in 6 days To be admitted to ward next day Treated in triage Admit to coombes Admitted to other hospital Discharged IP-No more treatment required
No treatment required after a/e visit Examined but no treatment given Treated; no more treatment required Review a & e Review a & e Review a&e Review in a/e Review in a and e
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AgeSmall OUTCOME 0-29 (Young) IMMEDIATE SPECIALIST ATTENTION REQUIRED HOSPITAL CARE Count % within AgeSmall Count % within AgeSmall COMMUNITY CARE Count % within AgeSmall NO TREATMENT REQUIRED AFTER A+E VISIT UNSPECIFIED Count % within AgeSmall Total Count % within AgeSmall 10 4.1% 241 100.0% 51 3.7% 1362 100.0% 6 3.0% 203 100.0% 67 3.7% 1806 100.0% Count % within AgeSmall 1 .4% 82 34.0% 47 19.5% 101 41.9% 30-69 (Middle Aged) 35 2.6% 508 37.3% 317 23.3% 451 33.1% 70+ (Elderly) 13 6.4% 78 38.4% 48 23.6% 58 28.6% Total 49 2.7% 668 37.0% 412 22.8% 610 33.8%
df 8
P value .002
27
28
29
df 7
P value .002
30
df 8
P value .105
31
32
BEHAVIOUR
Chi-Square Tests
df 18
P value .015
33
df 7
P value .002
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35
df 4
P value .001
36
df 9
P value .081
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BEHAVIOUR
df 18
P value .015
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Amit Anand
Nicholas Campion
James Cheshire
Thomas Haigh
James Leckenby
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