To admit or not: the use of camera mobile phone in trauma and orthopaedics at night

IntroductionMobile phones with incorporated digital cameras have become increasingly sophisticated. Their use in transmitting images for clinical decision making has been described in Otolaryngology, Neurosurgery, and Plastic Surgery, but not in the field of trauma and orthopaedics in the National Health Service (NHS) setting.Case reportWe describe the use of a mobile phone and multimedia messaging to guide the management of a patient with a distal radius fracture. A junior SHO was asked to give an orthopaedic opinion on the post manipulation X-rays at night. A camera phone was used to take pictures of the X-rays and send them as a multimedia message (MMS) to the non resident orthopaedic registrar to decide on the appropriate management. The post manipulation position was not deemed to be acceptable by the registrar after viewing the MMS and the patient was admitted for surgical intervention.DiscussionThis mode of communication may become more popular with change in working practices in the foreseeable future. However, it is important to monitor the use of this new technology to ensure its appropriate use. Senior clinicians should still be available to review the patients and the X-rays in traditional manner to reach appropriate management plan, even at night.