Oscillating saw injuries during removal of plaster.
The aim of this study was to assess the incidence of injuries to patients who have had a plaster cast removed by oscillating circular saw at the Alexandra Hospital, Redditch, and to recommend measures to avoid such injuries. The record of each patient who had his/her plaster removed was kept in the plaster room and later studied. Over a 12-month period (1995-96), 3875 plaster casts were removed; 28 patients (0.72%) sustained abrasions or burns over the skin. Recently there has been a sudden rise in the number of cases who sustained injury or burns by oscillating saw following plaster cast removal and a few patients have demanded compensation from the hospital. These incidences prompted the start of this study. The identified cause of injury was the removal of a plaster cast by an inexperienced, ill-trained user or blunt saw blade. Strict protocols were required and have been introduced at the Alexandra Hospital to avoid litigation.
Alexandra Healthcare NHS Trust, Redditch, Worcestershire, UK.
M Z
MZ
Ansari
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S
Swarup
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R
Ghani
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P
Tovey
D002056:Burns / Q000209:etiology; D002133:Calcium Sulfate; D002370:Casts, Surgical; D006801:Humans; D011361:Professional Competence; D012867:Skin / Q000293:injuries*
D002133:Calcium Sulfate