Multiregional Utilization of a Mobile Device App for Triage and Transfer of Burn Patients

Abstract

Technology and telehealth have the potential to optimize burn care in areas limited by lack of expertise and geographic distance from a Burn Center. This study reports a multicenter, multiregional experience using a mobile phone app to facilitate triage of patients by allowing referring providers to send encrypted photos, thus enhancing the telephone consultation process. A retrospective review was conducted on referrals from August 2016 to July 2017 at three regional Burn Centers that utilize the same mobile phone app. Centers studied are located in the Western, Northeastern, and Southern regions of the United States. Data on numbers of admissions, consults, referral facilities, type of wounds, disposition, and distance from the Burn Centers were recorded. A total of 2011 consults were placed using the mobile phone app from 294 different referring facilities spanning seven states. Utilization of the mobile phone app ranged from 20.4% to 84% among centers. All three centers demonstrated a similar range of consult distances (0-289 miles). Overall, the top three referral diagnoses were scald, contact, and flame burns. Regional differences included a higher percentage of frostbite in the Western region (P < 0.001) and a higher percentage of scald burns in the Northeastern and Southern regions (P < 0.001). The majority of patients at all centers were referred to outpatient clinics for ongoing burn care. Utilization of a mobile phone app appears to be a useful tool in the triage of patients, but further studies are warranted to assess the impact on accuracy of triage, patient outcomes, and reduction of costs.