Hand infection patients presenting to an orthopaedic unit: An audit of incidence and demographics at a rural hospital.

Objective: Hand infections are a common presentation to health services in the Northern Territory; however, little is known about these patients. This study aims to identify incidence, treatment and co-morbidities of hand infection patients and to pinpoint factors associated with poor outcome.

Design: A retrospective study of all patients presenting to Alice Springs Hospital with a hand infection during 2012.