Factors affecting suboptimal outcomes in hand infections.

Dear Editor, Delayed presentation and an immunocompromised status from diabetes mellitus, HIV infection and intravenous drug usage are known to increase the risk of hand infections and give a more complex clinical course ([2]). We excluded patients with hand infections that did not require surgical intervention, surgical site infections and patients under the age of 13, who were treated elsewhere. Patients with severe sepsis and diabetic patients with hand sepsis were admitted to hospital for intravenous antibiotics and were seen by the attending surgeon regularly. [Extracted from the article]