Quantitative Analysis of Estimated Burn Size Accuracy for Transfer Patients Journal Article


Authors: Armstrong, J. R.; Willand, L.; Gonzalez, B; Sandhu, J; Mosier, M. J.
Article Title: Quantitative Analysis of Estimated Burn Size Accuracy for Transfer Patients
Abstract: The objective of this study was to quantify differences between estimated TBSA from referring hospitals vs calculated TBSA in the burn unit in regards to several variables. We conducted a retrospective review of 735 burn patients admitted over a 17-month period. Three hundred twenty-six patients fit the criteria of transfers with recorded %TBSA estimations from referring hospitals. Referring %TBSA was compared with actual %TBSA, and the difference was expressed as a percentage of actual %TBSA. This was then used to group referring estimations as underestimated (less than -25%), satisfactory (-25 to 25%), or overestimated (greater than 25%). A paired t-test was used to assess the paired differences for significance. Secondary variables were then assessed between groups. When assessing associations of these clinical measures, a one-way analysis of variance was used for continuous variables and Pearson's chi test or Fisher's exact test was used. Of the 326 patients analyzed, 13 were underestimated, 63 were satisfactory, and 250 were overestimated. The ratio of overestimation to underestimation exceeded 19:1 and the ratio of overestimation to satisfactory estimation was nearly 4:1, with a statistically significant difference in referred %TBSA and actual %TBSA (P .0001). Within the over and underestimated groups, there were significant differences between referred %TBSA and actual %TBSA (P .0001). Larger burns were more accurately estimated (P .0001). There are significant inaccuracies between referring hospital estimated %TBSA and actual %TBSA, which consistently and grossly skew toward overestimation. Inaccuracy in burn size estimation is systemic and can affect patient care and burn unit efficiency.
Journal Title: Journal of burn care research : official publication of the American Burn Association
Volume: 38
Issue: 1
ISSN: 1559-0488; 1559-047X
Publisher: Unknown  
Journal Place: United States
Date Published: 2017
Start Page: e30
End Page: e35
Language: eng
DOI/URL:
Notes: LR: 20161224; JID: 101262774; ppublish
LUC Authors
  1. Michael Mosier
    32 Mosier
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