Are nasal fractures being referred appropriately from the accident and emergency department to ENT?
OBJECTIVE
Nasal trauma does not always require ENT clinic follow-up. We assess the appropriateness of referral to the ENT department from A&E of suspected nasal fractures.


METHODS
The 342 case notes of patients referred to ENT from A&E with suspected nasal fractures were reviewed. The patients were divided into groups depending on whether or not they showed clinical features in A&E.


RESULTS
Patients showing clinical features in A&E initially were significantly [P < .005] more likely to attend their clinic appointment than those without clinical features. They were also significantly more likely [P < 0.001] to undergo surgical correction of their nose.


CONCLUSIONS
Suspected nasal fractures following trauma should be referred to ENT only if they show clinical features on presentation to A&E. For patients developing clinical features over the next 3 weeks a telephone number should be given to the patient for rapid access to the ENT clinic.
Karagama
Y G
YG
Department of ENT, Huddersfield Royal Infirmary, Huddersfield, UK.
Newton
J R
JR
Clayton
M G G
MG
D004630:Emergencies; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D015508:Nasal Obstruction / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy; D009666:Nose / Q000293:injuries*; D010036:Otolaryngology; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D012017:Referral and Consultation