Assessment of a quality improvement intervention to improve the consistency of total body surface area burn estimates between referring facilities and a pediatric burn center

Abstract

Burns are a significant source of pediatric morbidity and frequently result in transfer of care to a pediatric burn center. The estimated total body surface area (%TBSA) is a clinical measurement of burn severity that influences fluid management and mode of transport decisions. Data suggest that assessments by referring facilities often overestimate the %TBSA in comparison to the subsequent assessment at the pediatric burn center. Such discrepancies may trigger inappropriately aggressive interventions with potential for patient harm. Our baseline assessment of data from 164 patients transferred to our pediatric burn …