A Geospatial Analysis of Hand Trauma Care: A Statewide Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Traumatic hand injuries often present with high acuity, but little is known about the influence of geospatial and socioeconomic factors on the timely delivery of care.

Methods: This cross-sectional study used the Michigan Trauma Quality Improvement Program database, a statewide registry with 35 level I or II trauma centers. Adult patients sustained hand trauma requiring urgent operative treatment between 2016 and 2021. Zip codes of injury location were linked with the corresponding percentage score on the Area Deprivation Index (ADI), a comprehensive measure of neighborhood disadvantage. Multiple regression analyses were used to determine associations of patient, injury, and geospatial characteristics with the odds of sustaining acute hand trauma and time to operative treatment.

Results: Among 1826 patients, the odds of sustaining acute hand trauma based on the ADI followed a bimodal distribution. Female sex, smoking, obesity, work-related injury, and residence in a minor city were associated with increased odds, whereas younger age, comorbidities, and rural residence were associated with decreased odds. For 388 patients who underwent surgery within 48 hours, time to treatment was significantly increased in the highest ADI quintile, for patients who underwent fracture fixation, and for those with severe global injury severity. Multisystem injuries, moderate global injury severity, and direct admission to an orthopedic service were associated with shorter times to treatment.

Conclusions: Patients in areas with greater neighborhood disadvantage may experience delayed operative care after acute hand trauma. This study highlights the importance of considering underserved populations and geospatial factors when determining the allocation of hand surgery resources.

Clinical question/level of evidence: Risk, III.