Identification of factors that predict outpatient utilisation of a Plastic Dressing Clinic. A retrospective review of 287 paediatric burn cases

• Full thickness burn and skin grafts significantly increase outpatient appointments.
• Pressure garment therapy increases re-attendance at outpatient services.
• Integrating in patient and outpatient paediatric burns care can provide cost saving.
• Onsite outpatient services permit earlier discharge and consistent follow-up.

IntroductionThis study investigated aetiology of burn cases presenting to the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Edinburgh to identify factors that influence the number of outpatient visits patients make to the Plastic Dressing Clinic (PDC) following discharge.MethodsA retrospective review was performed of all paediatric burn cases presenting between January 2009 and July 2012. Information gathered included patient demographics, burn aetiology, details of inpatient admission and outpatient PDC attendance.Results287 cases were identified, mean age 2.79 years (range 0–15), gender ratio 1.52:1 (M:F). Scald was the most common aetiology, n = 172 (59.9%). Most burns were superficial thickness, n = 173 (60.3%). One-way ANOVA showed that full thickness burn, skin graft and pressure garment therapy significantly increased the number of PDC appointments (p < 0.05). Pearson correlation coefficient found that length of stay in hospital and time spent in theatre were positively correlated to the number of PDC appointments (p < 0.01).ConclusionOutpatient utilisation of the PDC can be predicted from burn characteristics. Full thickness burn, skin graft and pressure garment therapy are identified to significantly increase the number of PDC appointments following paediatric burn.