Journal article
Acuity Is Seasonal in a Tertiary Care Burn Center
Journal of burn care & research, Vol.41(2), pp.359-362
02/19/2020
DOI: 10.1093/jbcr/irz172
PMID: 31634406
Abstract
Supply and demand dictate resource allocation in large academic institutions. Classic teaching is that burns is a seasonal specialty with winter being the "busiest" time of year. Resident allocation during the winter and summer months, however, is traditionally low due to the holidays and travel peaks. Our objective was to evaluate our acuity-defined as patient complexity-based on seasons, in order to petition for appropriate mid-level provider allocation. We performed a retrospective review of all admissions to an accredited, large academic burn center. All patients admitted between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2018 were eligible for inclusion. Demographics, length of stay, injury characteristics, and mortality were evaluated. Thirteen thousand four hundred fifty-eight patients were admitted during this study period. Most patients were admitted during the summer. Patients admitted to the intensive care unit were more likely to be admitted in the winter, although this was not statistically significant. Winter admissions had the longest lengths of stay, and the highest incidence of inhalation injury. Female and elderly patients were more likely admitted during the winter. There was a significant difference in mortality between summer and winter seasons. Acuity is seasonal in our large academic burn center and resource allocation should align with the needs of the patients. This data may help large centers petition their institutions for more consistent experienced mid-level providers, specifically during critical seasons.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Acuity Is Seasonal in a Tertiary Care Burn Center
- Creators
- Felicia N. Williams - University of North Carolina at Chapel HillSanja Sljivic - University of North Carolina at Chapel HillLori Chrisco - University of North Carolina at Chapel HillRabia Nizamani - University of North Carolina at Chapel HillBruce A. Cairns - University of North Carolina at Chapel HillSamuel W. Jones - University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Journal of burn care & research, Vol.41(2), pp.359-362
- Publisher
- Oxford Univ Press
- DOI
- 10.1093/jbcr/irz172
- PMID
- 31634406
- ISSN
- 1559-047X
- eISSN
- 1559-0488
- Number of pages
- 4
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 02/19/2020
- Academic Unit
- Surgery
- Record Identifier
- 9984755385802771
Metrics
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