title: Hand problems in an accident and emergency department.
abstract: We present a prospective study of 1,074 consecutive hand problems which were presented to our Accident and Emergency Department over an eight week period. This number accounted for 1 in 5 of all accident attendances. Over 40% of these patients were males aged 12-29 years. Nearly half of the hand patients presented within two hours of injury. Over half the patients needed only reassurance or a simple dressing but 55 patients (5%) had to be admitted for surgery.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D005260:Female; D006230:Hand Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011859:Radiography; D013997:Time Factors