Towards Zero – Harnessing technology to improve outcomes in today’s burn unit.
Andrew Frank1, Graeme McLeod1, Sarah Bache1, Helen Douglas1, 1Fiona Stanley Burns Unit , Perth, WA, Australia
Abstract
As part of a recent quality improvement study, we conducted a survey of patients who had received a split skin graft (SSG) as part of their acute burn management. Patients were asked about donor site short- and long-term outcomes, including pain, itch, colour and textural abnormalities.
Integrating existing data, we were able to significantly streamline the identification and contact of patients suitable for the survey. We identified 266 patients who had SSG between August 2020 and July 2021. Through our Burns Information Management System (BIMS) and improved data management across multiple hospital systems we compiled patients who were grafted in that year with relevant clinical information including time since injury, % total body surface area (%TBSA), burn location, and operation details. We collected patient contact details through outpatient records, allowing questionnaires to be distributed via a secure third-party SMS survey programme. From start to finish the project took just two months despite no full-time work being assigned to it.
There was a 43% completion rate, totalling 107 responses, in line with previous meta-analyses for online survey response rates (Wu, Zhao & Fils-Aime, 2022). The results of the survey are due to be published, providing interesting data about donors site morbidities. Furthermore, they have prompted the development of an operation note template to improve record keeping. Data storage and extraction significantly streamlined the survey process, allowing efficient clinical research to be carried out whilst not impacting time spent on patients.
Biography
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