An audit of care received by patients injured during sporting activities.
A summary of injuries sustained by 340 sportsmen over 9 successive weekends from 16 November 1991 to 12 January 1992 attending an accident and emergency (A&E) department is presented. Most injuries occurred in young males usually as a result of soccer or rugby. Sixty-seven per cent of patients were discharged with no further followed up in hospital. Seventy-two per cent of patients were X-rayed, 33% of X-rays showed a fracture or dislocation. A total of 193 attendees received minimal treatment, (defined as discharge with advice only, simple analgesia or strapping only with no hospital follow-up) and of these 152 were X-rayed. A total of 100 patients who received minimal treatment were selected randomly by computer to receive a follow-up letter asking about certain issues relating to their care in the A&E department. Most patients felt that the A&E Department was the most appropriate source of treatment for their sports injury, and over half attended specifically for an X-ray examination. Despite the doctors view that many of these minor injuries could have been self-treated, few patients felt able to treat future similar minor injuries themselves. They were, however, more likely to go elsewhere for treatment on subsequent occasions.
Grimble
S
S
Department of Accident and Emergency Medicine, Leicester Royal Infirmary.
Kendall
I G
IG
Allen
M J
MJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002648:Child; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D005538:Football / Q000293:injuries; D006688:Hockey / Q000293:injuries; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012916:Soccer / Q000293:injuries; D014600:Utilization Review