Hand Injury – Medical Advice

How to Treat a Door Slam Injury

Guidelines to follow if a door slam injury happens*
by Norina B. Ocampo, M.D. FAAP

Each year, hand injuries from door slams cause more than 150,000 Americans to rush to
Emergency Rooms, and likely hundreds of thousands more suffer painful non-critical trauma.

-    Install Safety Devices on your Doors.

• SafeSlam is the best door bumper I’ve seen because it’s always on your door, and you can open and close the door by turning the door handle normally Foam cuff devices are less expensive but they have to be removed whenever a door is closed, which eliminates the safety benefit.
• It’s also important to cover the hinge-side gap on both sides of the door. If a small finger is inserted when the door is open, the force of a closing door can cause severe damage.

-    Teach children to be careful around doors. Never place their fingers near the door frame on either side of the door, and never slam doors - always close and open doors slowly.

IF A DOOR SLAM INJURY HAPPENS, quickly examine the injury for severity.

1.  If the fingers or hand are visibly damaged
   1.  Apply a clean gauze with sufficient pressure to stop any bleeding
   2.  Go to the emergency room immediately.
   Serious care is needed anytime fingers are bent, cracked, popped, or distorted.
2. If a finger is separated from the hand (amputated):
   1. Apply a clean gauze with pressure to the would to stop the bleeding.
   2. Place the separated finger in a clean plastic bag.
   3. If possible, place that bag in another bag with ice.
   4. Go to the emergency room immediately.
3. If more than 50% of the area under the nailbed is bleeding, go to the Emergency Room. If the blood is not drained quickly, permanent damage to the nail can occur. If the nail matrix (where the nail starts to grow) is damaged, the nail might never grow back.
4. If there’s no visible damage to the hand or fingers, or bleeding under the nail:
   1. Elevate the injured hand with the fingers pointing upward so any fluid drains toward the elbow. This will reduce further swelling.
   2. Apply ice immediately to the area of impact. To avoid frostbite injury, place a clean cloth between the ice and the skin. Ice for 5 minutes on, 30 minutes off.
   3. Repeat icing multiple times per day for 48 hours after the injury.
   4. To reduce pain, take Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen. Aspirin can be fatal to children (Reye’s Syndrome).
   5. if the skin has been cut, the wound should be washed with warm, soapy water on a consistent basis to avoid infection. If the pain lasts beyond 48-hours, a fracture is plausible, and a doctor’s visit is recommended.

Norina B. Ocampo, M.D. FAAP is a board-certified Pediatrician in Boca Raton, FL. She has been
in practice for more than 20 years, and is the recipient of the Physician of the Year award from
the Health Care District of Palm Beach County.

*This information is not medical advice. Always speak with a medical professional for
information and instructions specific to your situation.