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Hand Day: Examining the Growth of a Local Domestic Outreach Initiative
Naem Anthony Mufarreh, DO
1, Michael R McDermott, DO
1, Kyle Kaster, DO
1, Eric Taris, DO
1, Kaitlyn Stevens, DO
1, H Brent Bamberger, DO
2; Adam Dann, DO, FAOAO
3(1)Kettering Health Grandview, Dayton, OH, (2)Grandview Medical Center, Dayton, OH, (3)Kettering Health Network - Grandview Medical Center, Dayton, OH
Background: Healthcare disparities continue to limit access to surgical care for uninsured individuals, particularly for conditions affecting the hand and wrist that impact daily function and quality of life. In response, our institution launched a domestic outreach initiative,
Hand Day, aimed at providing free surgical services to this underserved population. We hypothesized that consistent community demand for these services would drive the initiative's growth and underscore the ongoing need for accessible hand and wrist care.
Methods: A retrospective review was conducted of all patients treated through the Hand Day program from 2018 to 2024. Collected data included the number of patients treated, surgical and non-surgical procedures performed, and details regarding postoperative care. The analysis focused on trends in annual patient volume, surgical caseload, and program expansion. Patient eligibility criteria, types of procedures, and availability of follow-up care were also reviewed.
Results: Over seven years, Hand Day provided free surgical care to 91 uninsured patients, performing 141 surgeries and 14 therapeutic injections. The initiative averaged 13 ± 5.6 patients and 20.1 ± 8.6 surgeries annually. In its initial two years, the program treated an average of 5.5 patients and performed 8.5 surgeries annually. A substantial growth phase occurred between years two and three, with patient volume rising from 6 to 17 (283%) and surgical procedures increasing from 8 to 29 (363%). The subsequent year marked the highest procedural volume, with 20 patients undergoing 29 surgeries. Following this period of expansion, the program stabilized, averaging 16.0 ± 2.7 patients and 24.8 ± 4.0 surgeries per year. The most commonly performed procedures included carpal tunnel release, trigger finger release, and surgeries for thumb arthritis. Comprehensive postoperative care-including follow-up visits, imaging, and therapy-was consistently provided at no cost.
Discussion: The sustained utilization of Hand Day highlights a persistent gap in access to hand and wrist surgery for uninsured populations. The early growth and subsequent stabilization of the program reflect both community need and the effectiveness of this outreach model. Common elective procedures performed through this initiative have the potential to significantly improve function and quality of life. The inclusion of no-cost postoperative care further strengthens outcomes by ensuring continuity and completeness of treatment. Continued support and expansion of programs like Hand Day are critical to addressing ongoing disparities in surgical access and improving health equity.
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