Photo Credit: KatarzynaBialasiewicz

The following is a summary of “Hand in Hand with Healthcare: A Nationwide Analysis of Emergency Department Encounters for Hand Ailments,” published in the February 2025 issue of Journal of Clinical Orthopaedics and Trauma by Peluso et al. 

Researchers conducted a retrospective study to analyze the incidence, causes, outcomes, hospitalization predictors, and healthcare utilization patterns of hand-related conditions nationwide.  

They utilized data from the Nationwide Emergency Department Sample and National Readmission Database (2016-2021) to analyze individuals with a principal diagnosis of hand or wrist concerns.  

The results showed 2,91,095,34 emergency department (ED) visits for hand ailments, with a mean age of 36 years. Most individuals were Caucasian (61%), male (57%), healthy (89% Charlson Comorbidity score of 0), and from lower-income brackets (60%). Unintentional injuries accounted for 71% of cases, with hand lacerations being the most common, followed by closed distal radius fractures. Home discharge occurred in 96% of cases. Admission predictors included older age (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) per decade: 1.03; 95% CI: 1.02-1.03; P <0.01), higher Charlson index (aOR: 1.69; CI: 1.65-1.73; P <0.01), Medicaid insurance or lack of insurance (aOR: 1.26; CI: 1.18-1.36; P <0.01 and aOR: 1.25; CI: 1.16-1.36; p<0.01, respectively), and visits to level I metropolitan trauma teaching hospitals (aOR: 3.48; CI: 2.98-4.07; P <0.01). Admission rates rose by 21% in 2020 compared to 2016. Total healthcare expenditure for ED and inpatient hospitalization reached $105 billion, with costs exceeding inflation-adjusted projections.  

Investigators concluded the hand ailments, particularly lacerations, portrayed a healthcare burden, with patient outcomes and hospital resource utilization affected by diverse demographic and socioeconomic factors. 

Source: journal-cot.com/article/S0976-5662(25)00039-6/abstract