Anderson KT, Bartz-Kurycki MA, Garwood GM, Martin R, Gutierrez R, Supak DN, Wythe SN, Kawaguchi AL, Austin MT, Huzar TF, Tsao K. Surgery 2019; 165(2): 360-364.
Affiliation
Center for Surgical Trials and Evidence-Based Practice, Department of Pediatric Surgery at McGovern Medical School at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, TX ; Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital, Houston, TX.
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to characterize emergency pediatric burn care triage at a tertiary children's hospital to identify targets for quality improvement.
METHODS: A retrospective review of patients <18 years with primary burn injuries who presented to a children's emergency department in 2016 was conducted. Demographic and injury characteristics were recorded. Low acuity was defined by size (<5% total body surface area burn), depth (not third degree), and no need for conscious sedation for debridement. Multiple logistic regression was used for analysis.
RESULTS: A total of 309 pediatric burn patients were triaged in the emergency department. Patients were typically young (median 3.3 years), male (59%), Hispanic (47%), publically insured (77%), and transferred in (65%). Scalding was the most common mechanism (59%). Though most burns were small (median 2% total body surface area), not deep ( CONCLUSION: Though burns were low acuity, most children were admitted. Social factors may play an important role in triage decisions but there may be an opportunity for improved resource utilization.