Authors: (including presenting author): :
Wong TW(1), Wong WY(1), Chuk MY(1), Lai YK(1), Lee KH(2), Chui ST(1)
Affiliation: :
(1) Burns Centre, Department of Surgery, PWH (2) Emergency Dept., PWH
Introduction: :
Introduction:
Burn injury is not only life threatening but causes significant functional and cosmetic morbidity. The assessment of burn wound depth are important and mandatory. Be alert that burn wound conversion occur in the process - superficial partial thickness burns convert into deeper burns necessitating to debridement and skin grafting. Therefore, it is important for healthcare professions reviewing or caring for burn patients pay attention to the secondary progression of burns, then noted deterioration of wound condition.
Surgical Nurse Clinic (Burns) was established in NTEC to maintain continuity of care of post burn patients and follow up discharged minor burn cases from cluster A&Es.
Objectives: :
Objective:
- To alert healthcare professions about burn wound conversion phenomenon
- To provide therapeutic treatment to suspected burn wound
Methodology: :
Methodology/ Process:
Booking mechanism was established for cluster A&E departments to register the Nurse clinic appointment for discharged minor burn cases. Education briefings were provided to enhance the flow of system, to let staff acquire knowledge on depth of burn wound, to awake awareness of burn wound conversion. Direct consultation is available for complicated cases. Then, the earliest clinic appointment can be booked when the burn case is discharged from the A&E. Guidelines on referring minor burn cases to Surgical Nurse Clinic (Burns) and referrals were endorsed.
Result & Outcome: :
Outcomes: During 2015-2019, total 273 A&E discharged minor burn cases were referred to Surgical Nurse Clinic (Burns) for continuity of care. 59 cases (21.6%) were admitted or follow up in Burns Centre, among these cases 22 nos. (37.3%) need surgical intervention- debridement and skin graft operation. These burn cases were small burn but with deep partial thickness or full thickness burn wound. Clinical photographs will be illustrated to alert the significant. Conclusion: It is important for healthcare professions to know the phenomenon of burn wound conversion. Be alert when evaluating the burn wound condition.
