Abstract

A study was performed to compare the efficacy of an internet-based burns assessment form in communicating burns referral data with conventional phone and fax data transfer. An internet-based data collection form was developed in consultation with the multidisciplinary team at our centre with the aim of efficient data collection whilst minimising the time burden on the referring clinician. Through our website, an interactive Lund and Browder chart, is readily accessible which allows the user to mark on the chart itself the areas that have been injured. The ‘Burnschart’ system was incorporated into the referral process at Concord Hospital from January to June 2009 in addition to the conventional referral system. A review was conducted comparing a group of patients prior to and post implementation of the online referral system. The study population consisted of two groups of 25 patients that had been referred using Burnschart (group 1), or the conventional referring system (group 2). A significant difference between the two groups of 2.71% in the mean TBSA estimation error was found when comparing the two groups (p < 0.05). These results indicate that a simple web-based program to assist in accurately conveying summary data of site, size and severity of burn injury may be a useful tool in improving quality of communication between referring and receiving clinicians.

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