A 45-year-old male sustains a crush injury to his right hand in a hydraulic press. Multiple fingers are mangled and there is significant soft tissue l...

Question

A 45-year-old male sustains a crush injury to his right hand in a hydraulic press. Multiple fingers are mangled and there is significant soft tissue loss. The hand is viable but requires specialist microsurgery. What type of hospital should this patient be transferred to?

Accepted Answer

A specialist hand/replantation centre - not necessarily the nearest hospital; pre-alert communication should include the mechanism, time of injury, and ischaemia status

Answer

A plastic surgery centre only

Answer

The nearest orthopaedic trauma unit

Answer

The patient's local hospital for initial assessment before onward referral

Answer

The nearest emergency department regardless of surgical capability

uk-dipimc MCQ (SBA): Hand Injury - Specialist Transfer

A 45-year-old male sustains a crush injury to his right hand in a hydraulic press. Multiple fingers are mangled and there is significant soft tissue loss. The hand is viable but requires specialist microsurgery. What type of hospital should this patient be transferred to?