G34(P) The management of children diagnosed with torus (buckle) fractures of the distal radius : wrist splint and written self-care information versus wrist splint and hospital outpatient follow-up

Crowder, R.; Rowland, Andrew; Handford, M.; Tan, S.; Stuart, M.

Abstract

Background and objectives: In July 2013, the Paediatric Emergency Department (ED) of a UK District General Hospital ED seeing approximately 30000 children aged under 16 years of age per year in the ED, began managing children diagnosed with a torus fracture of the distal radius with a wrist splint and written self-care information, rather than a wrist splint and hospital-based fracture clinic follow-up. This study assessed the impact of this change in practice.
Methods: A 14 month retrospective review of all children diagnosed with a torus fracture of the distal radius was conducted. Referrals to fracture clinic and the number of children re-attending the ED with complications related to the initial injury (such as pain or splint problem) were analysed. All children had appropriate wrist immobilisation.
Results: 197 children were diagnosed with a torus fracture of the distal radius. 161 (median 14/month) attended pre-change in practice and 36 (median 12/month) attended post-change. 131 (66%) were referred to the fracture clinic, (126 (78%) pre-change in practice and 5 (14%) post-change). The remainder were discharged with written self-care information. In the one month following initial attendance, 34 (21%) re-attended the ED pre-change in practice and 3 (8%) post-change.
Conclusions: Children with a torus fracture of the distal radius can be appropriately managed with a wrist splint and written self-care information, rather than by hospital fracture clinic follow-up. This more efficiently uses healthcare resources, reduces re-attendances during the month following initial injury and reduces social inconvenience for children and their families.

Citation

Crowder, R., Rowland, A., Handford, M., Tan, S., & Stuart, M. (2014). G34(P) The management of children diagnosed with torus (buckle) fractures of the distal radius : wrist splint and written self-care information versus wrist splint and hospital outpatient follow-up. Archives of Disease in Childhood, 99(Suppl), A15-A15. https://doi.org/10.1136/archdischild-2014-306237.34

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Online Publication Date: Apr 7, 2014
• Publication Date: Apr 1, 2014
• Deposit Date: Apr 11, 2017
• Journal: Archives of Disease in Childhood
• Print ISSN: 0003-9888
• Publisher: BMJ Publishing Group
• Volume: 99
• Issue: Suppl
• Pages: A15-A15
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/archdischild-2014-306237.34
• Publisher URL: https://doi.org/10.1136/archdischild-2014-306237.34
• Related Public URLs: http://adc.bmj.com/