Medical, personal, and occupational outcomes for work-related amputations in Minnesota.

BACKGROUND

The Minnesota Sentinel Event Notification System for Occupational Risks (SENSOR) surveillance system has collected data on the medical, personal, and occupational outcomes associated with work-related amputations since 1992.

METHODS

SENSOR defined amputations as any finger amputation or the loss of any other body part; 832 workers were identified as having amputation injuries between 1994 and 1995 and 72% of these workers completed a telephone interview.

RESULTS

Twenty percent of those injured required overnight hospitalization. Ninety-one percent of the cases reported having missed work, with 56% reporting missing ten or more days. Individuals working on their usual jobs at the time of injury were more likely to report less serious medical and occupational outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Severe injuries were significantly associated with worse medical, personal, and occupational outcomes. Two groups of machines, material handling, and powered handtools were associated with a higher proportion of severe injuries.