Using softcast to treat torus fractures in a paediatric emergency department.

Wrist torus fractures in children are a frequent reason for Emergency Department (ED) visits. Torus fractures traditionally were treated with a backslab cast in the Children's ED and then referred to the Fracture Clinic. Guidelines were developed in order to standardise the care for children who attended the ED with a torus fracture. All patients who were seen & treated by the Advanced Nurse Practitioner (ANP) over a one year period with a diagnosis of a torus fracture were treated with immobilisation in a softcast. 119 patients met the criteria for inclusion. There were no adverse events recorded and no patient required subsequent visits to the Fracture Clinic. There was a cost savings of €18,596 as compared with the normal referral pathway to the Fracture Clinic.