title: Comparison of traditional burn wound mapping with a computerized program.
abstract: Accurate burn estimation affects the use of burn resuscitation formulas and treatment strategies, and thus can affect patient outcomes. The objective of this process-improvement project was to compare the accuracy of a computer-based burn mapping program, WoundFlow (WF), with the widely used hand-mapped Lund-Browder (LB) diagram. Manikins with various burn representations (from 1% to more than 60% TBSA) were used for comparison of the WF system and LB diagrams. Burns were depicted on the manikins using red vinyl adhesive. Healthcare providers responsible for mapping of burn patients were asked to perform burn mapping of the manikins. Providers were randomized to either an LB or a WF group. Differences in the total map area between groups were analyzed. Also, direct measurements of the burn representations were taken and compared with LB and WF results. The results of 100 samples, compared using Bland-Altman analysis, showed no difference between the two methods. WF was as accurate as LB mapping for all burn surface areas. WF may be additionally beneficial in that it can track daily progress until complete wound closure, and can automatically calculate burn size, thus decreasing the chances of mathematical errors.
authors.affiliation: U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research, Fort Sam Houston, Texas 78234, USA.
authors.forename: James F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: Booker T
authors.initials: BT
authors.lastname: King
authors.forename: James K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Aden
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Serio-Melvin
authors.forename: Kevin K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.forename: Craig A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Fenrich
authors.forename: José
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Salinas
authors.forename: Evan M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Renz
authors.forename: Steven E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Wolf
authors.forename: Lorne H
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Blackbourne
authors.forename: Leopoldo C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Cancio
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001830:Body Surface Area; D002056:Burns / Q000145:classification* / Q000628:therapy*; D003936:Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D004282:Documentation; D057286:Electronic Health Records; D005568:Forms and Records Control; D006801:Humans; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D008348:Manikins; D017064:Process Assessment, Health Care