[The value of a hand injury chart].

OBJECTIVE

To assess practicality, clinical merit and usefulness for scientific purposes of a hand injury chart in a hand surgery unit.

DESIGN

Descriptive.

SETTING

Academic Hospital Rotterdam-Dijkzigt, the Netherlands.

METHODS

The records were examined of patients who within the period of one ear required acute surgical therapy for serious hand injuries (n = 148). Data concerning cause and extent of the damage to anatomical structures were recorded to evaluate accuracy in describing a hand injury with and without the chart. Time needed to study the patient record to ascertain sufficient details of the injury was noted in each case.

RESULTS

The accuracy in describing a hand injury increased significantly for all anatomical structures except vascular lesions in patient records containing the hand injury chart compared with records without the chart. Using the chart saved one minute of time at the first aid station and the outpatient department.

CONCLUSION

The use of a hand injury chart allowed a more accurate and uniform description. The computerized data could be easily used for scientific and audit purposes.