Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, including details on symptoms, causes, trauma, diagnosis, physiotherapy.

Analysis of NHSLA claims in hand and wrist surgery.

Khan IH, Giddins G

Royal United Hospital Bath, Combe Park, Bath, UK. khan_ohmss@yahoo.co.uk

Claims for negligence are increasing in medical practice. We analysed data provided by the UK NHS Litigation Authority (NHSLA) on all hand and wrist surgery from 1995-2001. The numbers of claims increased from 13 to 40, but the number being successfully defended also increased from 2 to 13 during this period. Claims were most commonly attributed to errors at surgery (56%) or in outpatient clinics (24%). Strikingly the claims are clustered to a few common conditions, particularly the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome (22%) and wrist fractures (48%). There were no claims related to complex hand surgery. We recommend better training for 'routine surgery', better description of distal radius fracture parameters at each clinic visit and better training in emergency departments (ED).

Published 26 January 2010 in J Hand Surg Eur Vol, 35(1): 61-4.
Full-text of this article is available online (may require subscription).

© 2005-2010 Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Research Today. All Rights Reserved.