Outpatient presentations to burn centers: Data from the Burns Registry of Australia and New Zealand outpatient pilot project

Abstract Background Most studies about burn injury focus on admitted cases. Aim To compare outpatient and inpatient presentations at burn centers in Australia to inform the establishment of a repository for outpatient burn injury. Methods Data for sequential outpatient presentations were collected at seven burn centers in Australia between December 2010 and May 2011 and compared with inpatient admissions from these centers recorded by the Burns Registry of Australia and New Zealand for the corresponding period. Results There were 788 outpatient and 360 inpatient presentations. Pediatric outpatients included more children Conclusions Outpatient presentations outnumbered inpatient admissions by 2.2:1. The pattern of outpatient burns presenting to burn centers differed to inpatient admission data, particularly with respect to etiology and burn severity, highlighting the importance of the need for outpatient data to enhance burn injury surveillance and inform prevention.