23 Triage and Transfer to a Regional Burn Center - Impact of a Mobile Phone App

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S18-S18
Author(s):  
Heather Carmichael ◽  
Kiran U Dyamenahalli ◽  
Patrick Duffy ◽  
Anne L Lambert Wagner ◽  
Arek J Wiktor

Abstract Introduction The ABA designs referral criteria to guide providers in recommending appropriate patients for treatment at specialized burn centers. However, patients are typically triaged at local facilities where providers may not have expertise to assess burn injuries properly. Addition of a visual component to a consultation call can improve local triage decisions, including estimations of total burn surface area (TBSA). In 2016, our regional burn center implemented a mobile phone app, which allows a referring provider to send photos of the wound along with basic demographic data to the burn specialist in a HIPPA-compliant manner, facilitating the consultation. Our hypothesis is that use of the burn app can improve triage decisions, particularly in cases of intermediate TBSA (1–10%). Methods This is a retrospective review of all consults to our ABA-verified burn center from a single Level II trauma center (TC) approximately 70 miles from our institution. Data were integrated from our call center, burn registry, electronic medical record and the mobile app. Burns were classified as large (>10% TBSA), intermediate (1–10% TBSA), or small (< 1%). Patients were triaged to either a) immediate transfer via ground ambulance or helicopter, b) transfer via private vehicle, c) outpatient follow up at the burn center, or d) local facility/primary care management. Patients were considered to be “down-triaged” if they required transfer but could transfer via private vehicle, or if they could be managed locally. Results During the study period, 135 patient consultations were made by the TC for thermal or cold injuries. 82 patients (61%) were referred using the app. Most patients (n=56, 41%) presented with small burns of the hands, feet or face. Overall, 53 patients (39%) were transferred to the burn center. The majority required ambulance transfer (n=44). 60 patients (44%) were recommended for outpatient follow up, but only 43% (n=26) followed up. When the subset of intermediate burns was considered (n=54), the mobile app allowed for successful “down-triage” of 12 patients (30%) referred through the app. No patient referred without the app could be “down-triaged” (p=0.02). Conclusions A mobile app can be used to successfully triage patients with intermediate size burn injuries to a lower acuity of follow up and transfer mode. However, less than half of patients triaged to outpatient follow up were actually seen at the burn center. Applicability of Research to Practice Telemedicine can be used to assist in triage decisions and appropriate referral to a regional burn center. This technology could be optimized to assist in outpatient follow up.

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (5) ◽  
pp. 971-975
Author(s):  
Heather Carmichael ◽  
Kiran Dyamenahalli ◽  
Patrick S Duffy ◽  
Anne Lambert Wagner ◽  
Arek J Wiktor

Abstract Telemedicine technology can be used to facilitate consultations from nonburn-trained referring providers. However, there is a paucity of evidence indicating these technologies influence transfer decisions and follow-up care. In 2016, our regional burn center implemented a mobile phone app, which allows a referring provider to send photos of the wound along with basic demographic and clinical data to the burn specialist. A retrospective review was performed on consults to our regional burn center from a Level I trauma center approximately 70 miles away with a shared electronic medical record. Patients were considered to be “down-triaged” if they could be managed locally or if the transfer could occur via personal vehicle instead of ground or air ambulance transport. During the 2-year study period, 126 consultations were made for thermal injuries. Eighty-seven patients (69%) were referred using the Burn App. Overall, 49 patients (39%) were transferred. When the subset of intermediate size (1–10% TBSA) burns were considered (n = 48), the Burn App allowed for successful “down-triage” of 12 patients (33%) referred through the app. No patient referred without the app could be “down-triaged” (P = .02). Although 57 patients (44%) were recommended for outpatient follow-up, only 42% followed up. A mobile app can be used to successfully triage patients with intermediate size burn injuries to a lower acuity of follow-up and transfer mode. However, only a minority of patients triaged to outpatient management actually follow up with a regional burn center. Telemedicine efforts should focus on improving not only initial triage, but also aftercare.


2021 ◽  
Vol 36 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudia Yuste ◽  
Paula Jara Caro Espada ◽  
Lucia Aubert ◽  
Elena Gutiérrez ◽  
Aida Frías González ◽  
...  

Abstract Background and Aims COVID19 worldwide crisis has shown the fragility of usually overbooked hospital care, encouraging improvements on the homecare and remote monitoring of patients. IMUP (Intelligent Manager for Ubiquitous Personal Mobile Care) is a Mobile App developed by UPM to follow up  chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients affected with COVID19. Method CKD patients (or their home caregivers) with access to a mobile phone were asked to introduce daily their symptoms (headache, tiredness, short of breath, cough and diarrhea) in addition to blood pressure and temperature. IMUP also allowed: (1) free asynchronous message exchange between patients and physicians, (2) provided general information and guidelines to reduce household COVID19 transmissions, (3) countdown of isolation days, and (4) notified alarms and alerts.  All patients consented to a mobile phone monitor. Physicians categorized clinical situations reviewing IMUP symptoms into: (1) stable, (2) alert, and (3) presential assistance advised. Results A total of 38 patients (9 kidney transplant, 23 haemodialysis, 3 peritoneal dialysis, 3 low clearance)( 58.8% male, age 62.2 ± 15.6 years, 17.6 % diabetics) with confirmed COVID19 infection were followed up with IMUP, 23 after hospitalization (median of 10 [4-16] days) and 15 with complete outpatient follow-up. The mean follow-up with IMUP was 8 [4,17] days. Four houndred and seven daily symptoms were introduced in IMUP, being tiredness the commonest (27%), followed by cough (21.5%) and diarrhea (20.6%).  Reviewing IMUP daily symptoms, 185 clinical situations were categorized in stable and 21 alert. Five patients required presential assistance, 3 of them requiring hospital admission (1 rehospitalization). 81 messages were exchanged, delivering 17 therapeutic recommendations.  IMUP countdown helped to organize isolation on the HD unit (cases and contacts), plus follow up with chest X rays and blood samples. Conclusion The easy and intuitive use of mobile apps makes them widely accepted by the general population. Remote monitoring by mobile phone apps brings a new opportunity to alleviate our overbooked hospital care. Besides, remote monitoring could help to stratify and organize clinical follow up, allowing a closer communication between physicians and patients.


2021 ◽  
Vol 42 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S41-S42
Author(s):  
Alejandro O Chara ◽  
Erica Hodgman ◽  
Susan Ziegfeld ◽  
Carisa Parrish ◽  
Daniel Rhee ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction The effect of the COVID-19 pandemic has led to increased isolation of families at home and potentially decreased access to the healthcare system. We therefore evaluated the effect of COVID-19 on rates of compliance with recommended post-injury follow-up. We hypothesized that this isolation may lead to detrimental effects on adherence to proper follow-up for children with burn injuries. Methods We queried the registry at an ABA-verified Level 1 pediatric burn center for patients aged 0–14 years who were treated and released from March 30 to July 31, 2020, which represents the height of the pandemic. As a control, we searched the registry for patients treated during the same time frame from 2016 to 2019. Patient and clinical factors were compared between the COVID and pre-COVID cohorts. Predictors of follow-up were compared using chi-squared and Kruskal-Wallis tests. Multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate for predictors of compliance with follow-up. Results A total of 401 patients were seen and discharged from the pediatric ED for burn injuries. The COVID cohort consisted of 58 (14.5%) of these patients. Burn characteristics and demographic patterns did not differ between the COVID and pre-COVID cohorts. Demographics, including age, gender, race, and ethnicity did not differ between patients with 2-week follow-up and those without. The rate of compliance with 2-week follow-up was also not affected (62.4% prior to COVID vs. 55.2% during, p=0.29). As expected, burn size, burn depth, and mechanism of injury all significantly predicted compliance with 2-week follow up (table 1). After adjusting for these variables, there was still no difference in the odds of appropriate follow up (OR 0.6, 95% CI 0.3 – 1.1; p=0.12). Conclusions Despite concerns about decreased access to healthcare during the pandemic, the experience at our Level 1 pediatric burn center, including rates of follow-up for those managed as outpatients, appears unchanged.


Author(s):  
Alejandro Chara ◽  
Erica Hodgman ◽  
Susan Ziegfeld ◽  
Carisa Parrish ◽  
Daniel Rhee ◽  
...  

Abstract The effect of the COVID-19 pandemic has led to increased isolation and potentially decreased access to healthcare. We therefore evaluated the effect of COVID-19 on rates of compliance with recommended post-injury follow-up. We hypothesized that this isolation may lead to detrimental effects on adherence to proper follow-up for children with burn injuries. We queried the registry at an ABA-verified Level 1 pediatric burn center for patients aged 0-18 years who were treated and released from March 30 to July 31, 2020. As a control, we included patients treated during the same time frame from 2016 to 2019. Patient and clinical factors were compared between the COVID and pre-COVID cohorts. Predictors of follow-up were compared using chi-squared and Kruskal-Wallis tests. Multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate for predictors of compliance with follow-up. A total of 401 patients were seen and discharged from the pediatric ED for burns. Fifty-eight (14.5%) of these patients were seen during the pandemic. Burn characteristics and demographic patterns did not differ between the COVID and pre-COVID cohorts. Likewise, demographics did not differ between patients with follow-up and those without. The rate of compliance with 2-week follow-up was also not affected. Burn size, burn depth, and mechanism of injury all were associated with higher compliance to follow up. After adjusting for these variables, there was still no difference in the odds of appropriate follow up. Despite concerns about decreased access to healthcare during COVID, follow-up rates for pediatric burn patients remained unchanged at our pediatric burn center.


2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marc Pifarre ◽  
Francesc Solsona ◽  
Jordi Vilaplana ◽  
Francesc Abella ◽  
Rui Alves
Keyword(s):  

Author(s):  
V. Hellstern ◽  
P. Bhogal ◽  
M. Aguilar Pérez ◽  
M. Alfter ◽  
A. Kemmling ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Adenosine induced cardiac standstill has been used intraoperatively for both aneurysm and arteriovenous malformation (AVM) surgery and embolization. We sought to report the results of adenosine induced cardiac standstill as an adjunct to endovascular embolization of brain AVMs. Material and Methods We retrospectively identified patients in our prospectively maintained database to identify all patients since January 2007 in whom adenosine was used to induce cardiac standstill during the embolization of a brain AVM. We recorded demographic data, clinical presentation, Spetzler Martin grade, rupture status, therapeutic intervention and number of embolization sessions, angiographic and clinical results, clinical and radiological outcomes and follow-up information. Results We identified 47 patients (22 female, 47%) with average age 42 ± 17 years (range 6–77 years) who had undergone AVM embolization procedures using adjunctive circulatory standstill with adenosine. In total there were 4 Spetzler Martin grade 1 (9%), 9 grade 2 (18%), 15 grade 3 (32%), 8 grade 4 (18%), and 11 grade 5 (23%) lesions. Of the AVMs six were ruptured or had previously ruptured. The average number of embolization procedures per patient was 5.7 ± 7.6 (range 1–37) with an average of 2.6 ± 2.2 (range 1–14) embolization procedures using adenosine. Overall morbidity was 17% (n = 8/47) and mortality 2.1% (n = 1/47), with permanent morbidity seen in 10.6% (n = 5/47) postembolization. Angiographic follow-up was available for 32 patients with no residual shunt seen in 26 (81%) and residual shunts seen in 6 patients (19%). The angiographic follow-up is still pending in 14 patients. At last follow-up 93.5% of patients were mRS ≤2 (n = 43/46). Conclusion Adenosine induced cardiac standstill represents a viable treatment strategy in high flow AVMs or AV shunts that carries a low risk of mortality and permanent neurological deficits.


2020 ◽  
pp. 216507992096553
Author(s):  
Suvashis Dash ◽  
Vamseedharan Muthukumar ◽  
Rajkumar R ◽  
Durga Karki

Background Cryogenic burns induced by coolant gases used in refrigerators and air conditioners are rarely encountered, despite the wide use of these gases. To date, only a few cases have been reported in the literature. This study examined the occupational circumstances leading to such injuries, relevant injury sites, types of chemicals involved, and treatment measures. Methods This study was conducted in a tertiary burn center in India between March 2015 and March 2019. The demographic details, chemicals involved, and burn regions and characteristics were analyzed. Findings There were 15 burn cases all involving injury to the hand. All injuries were managed initially with dressings and nonoperative management. One patient required anti-edema therapy with limb elevation and fingertip debridement, while another patient required skin grafting. All patients had satisfactory hand function after treatment. Conclusions/Application to Practice Cryogenic burn injuries caused by refrigerants are rare, and their etiology varies considerably. Exposure time is the primary factor that determines burn depth and severity; hence, reducing exposure time is important in first aid. Our findings suggest that after exposure, the patient should be treated in a specialized burn center. Adequate knowledge regarding the pathophysiology of these types of burn injuries and their management is necessary; otherwise, misjudgments in the treatment plan can lead to adverse consequences.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lilian M. N. Kebaya ◽  
Dalton Wamalwa ◽  
Nyambura Kariuki ◽  
Bashir Admani ◽  
Philip Ayieko ◽  
...  

Abstract Background HIV is a major contributor to infant mortality. A significant gap remains between the uptake of infant and maternal antiretroviral regimens and only a minority of HIV-exposed infants receives prophylaxis and safe infant feeding. Losses to follow-up of HIV-exposed infants are associated with shortcomings of facility-based PMTCT models with weak community support of linkages. Use of mobile phones offers an opportunity for improving care and promoting retention assessed by timely attendance of scheduled appointments for the mother-baby pairs and achievement of an HIV-free generation. The objective of this study was to compare self-reported adherence to infant Nevirapine (NVP) prophylaxis and retention in care assessed by timely attendance of scheduled appointments over 10 weeks in HIV exposed infants randomized to 2-weekly mobile phone calls (intervention) versus no phone calls (control). Methods In this open label randomized controlled study, one hundred and fifty HIV infected women drawn from 3 health facilities in Western Kenya and their infants were randomly assigned to receive either phone-based reminders on PMTCT messages or standard health care messages (no calls) within 24 h of delivery. Women in the intervention arm continued to receive fortnightly phone calls. At 6- and 10-weeks following randomization we collected data on infant adherence to Nevirapine, mode of infant feeding, early HIV testing and retention in care in both study arms. All analyses were intention to treat. Results At 6 weeks follow-up, 90.7% (n = 68) of participants receiving phone calls reported adherence to infant NVP prophylaxis, compared with 72% (n = 54) of participants in the control group (p = 0.005). Participants in the intervention arm were also significantly more likely to remain in care than participants in the control group [78.7% (n = 59) vs. 58.7% (n = 44), p = 0.009 at 6 weeks and 69.3% (n = 52) vs. 37.3% (n = 28), p < 0.001 at 10 weeks]. Conclusions These results suggest that phone calls are potentially an important tool to improve adherence to infant NVP prophylaxis and retention in care for HIV-exposed infants. Trial registration PACTR202007654729602. Registered 6 June 2018 - Retrospectively registered, https://pactr.samrc.ac.za/TrialDisplay.aspx?TrialID=3449


2021 ◽  
pp. 159101992199050
Author(s):  
Erol Akgul ◽  
Hasan Bilen Onan ◽  
Irem Islek ◽  
Mehmet Tonge ◽  
Yavuz Durmus ◽  
...  

Background We assessed the safety and efficacy of flow diverter stents (FDSs) in the treatment of recanalized or residual intracranial aneurysms treated endovascularly. Materials & Methods Patients whose recanalized or residual aneurysms were treated with FDSs in five tertiary hospitals were reviewed retrospectively. The patients’ demographic data, aneurysm characteristics, types of previous treatment, and clinical complications, or serious adverse events associated with FDSs, as well as the results of neurological and angiographic follow-up assessments, were recorded. Results Eighty-six patients (37 males) with 87 aneurysms were included in this study. Eighty (91.9%) aneurysms were in the anterior and seven (8.1%) in the posterior circulation. The initial treatment methods were the primary coiling or balloon remodeling technique in 69 (79.3%) and stent-assisted coiling in 18 (20.7%) aneurysms. The endovascular procedure was successful in all patients. Complications occurred in four patients, for a total complication rate of 4.6%. A technical complication developed in one patient (1.2%). An in-stent thrombosis treated with tirofiban was seen in two cases. Late in-stent stenosis exceeding 50% was treated with balloon angioplasty in one patient. The mean length of follow-up was 21.0 months. The first angiographic follow-up (3–6 months) revealed the complete occlusion of 74 aneurysms (85.1%). While 76 aneurysms (87.4%) were occluded at the last angiographic follow-up (mean: 26.0 months), 11 aneurysms (12.6%) were still filling. Morbimortality was zero. Conclusion The drawback of endovascular treatment is aneurysmal remnants or recurrences, which is safely and durably amenable to flow diversion.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 232596712098187
Author(s):  
Justus Gille ◽  
Ellen Reiss ◽  
Moritz Freitag ◽  
Jan Schagemann ◽  
Matthias Steinwachs ◽  
...  

Background: Autologous matrix-induced chondrogenesis (AMIC) is a well-established treatment for full-thickness cartilage defects. Purpose: To evaluate the long-term clinical outcomes of AMIC for the treatment of chondral lesions of the knee. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: A multisite prospective registry recorded demographic data and outcomes for patients who underwent repair of chondral defects. In total, 131 patients were included in the study. Lysholm, Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), and visual analog scale (VAS) score for pain were used for outcome analysis. Across all patients, the mean ± SD age of patients was 36.6 ± 11.7 years. The mean body weight was 80.0 ± 16.8 kg, mean height was 176.3 ± 7.9 cm, and mean defect size was 3.3 ± 1.8 cm2. Defects were classified as Outerbridge grade III or IV. A repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to compare outcomes across all time points. Results: The median follow-up time for the patients in this cohort was 4.56 ± 2.92 years. Significant improvement ( P < .001) in all scores was observed at 1 to 2 years after AMIC, and improved values were noted up to 7 years postoperatively. Among all patients, the mean preoperative Lysholm score was 46.9 ± 19.6. At the 1-year follow-up, a significantly higher mean Lysholm score was noted, with maintenance of the favorable outcomes at 7-year follow-up. The KOOS also showed a significant improvement of postoperative values compared with preoperative data. The mean VAS had significantly decreased during the 7-year follow-up. Age, sex, and defect size did not have a significant effect on the outcomes. Conclusion: AMIC is an effective method of treating chondral defects of the knee and leads to reliably favorable results up to 7 years postoperatively.


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