Injection Injury Caused by Disinfectant During COVID-19: A Case Report

Front Public Health. 2022 Apr 27:10:851175. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.851175. eCollection 2022.

Abstract

High-pressure injection injury of the hand is a rare but severe emergency, which requires full attention and timely treatment. However, the early symptoms may not be obvious. As the swelling and necrosis progress, the condition gradually worsens, and in severe cases, it may end with amputation. We report a particular case of a hand injection injury, which occurred to a worker who worked overtime to produce disinfectant during the Coronavirus Disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic. Because of the chemical toxicity of the disinfectant and pressure's damage, although the emergency debridement was promptly performed, we still lost some fingers in the end. In the existing disinfection product manuals, we have not seen any tips on dealing with tissue injection injury. It may reduce workers' attention to injuries, leading to delays in emergency operations.

Keywords: COVID-19; debridement; disinfectant; injection injury; occupational safety.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19*
  • Disinfectants* / adverse effects
  • Disinfection
  • Hand Injuries* / etiology
  • Hand Injuries* / surgery
  • Humans
  • Pandemics

Substances

  • Disinfectants