During the COVID-19 pandemic, drilling has been classified as an aerosol-generating procedure. However, there is limited evidence on the effects of bone drilling on splatter generation. Our aim was to quantify the effect of drilling on splatter generation within the orthopaedic operative setting. This study was performed using a Stryker System 7 dual rotating drill at full speed. Two fluid mediums (Videne (Solution 1) and Fluorescein (Solution 2)) were used to simulate drill splatter conditions. Drilling occurred at saw bone level (0 cm) and at different heights (20 cm, 50 cm, and 100 cm) above the target to simulate the surgeon ‘working arm length’, with and without using a drill guide. The furthest droplets were marked and the droplet displacement was measured in cm. A surgical microscope was used to detect microscopic droplets.Aims
Methods
Hospital Episode Statistics [HES] are often used by hospital managers and politicians as a reflection of departmental workload. The accuracy of these data is often questioned. We aimed to ascertain the reliability of this database for trauma admissions. Between 2002 and 2003, all admissions were recorded by doctors using a separate departmental database. Data were collected during the daily trauma meetings and compared with the HES returns for the same period. 2496 patients were recorded in the trauma admissions database. Overall, 36.4% of the patients were either not recorded by the HES database or wrongly coded in terms of type of admissions or diagnosis. HES data for all 2496 records was analysed by type of admissions and speciality.4.2% of trauma patients were incorrectly classified as elective or day cases. 2.9% of trauma patients admitted to hospital were not recorded in the HES data as orthopaedic admission. The accuracy of HES diagnosis coding was tested on 300 records randomly selected by a statistical package. HES recorded the wrong diagnosis in 29.3% of cases. A significant number of trauma cases were not counted in the HES data. This may have significant implications for trauma funding. HES data does not accurately record diagnosis and therefore can not be used as a research tool for specific injuries. Data recording practice should be changed to improve HES data accuracy.
