Paediatric burn unit in Portugal: Beds needed using a bed-day approach

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2017

Authors

Santos, JV (Author) FMUP; Viana, J (Author) FMUP; Amarante J (Author) FMUP; Freitas A (Author) FMUP

Journal

Title: Burns

Vol. 43

Pages: 403-410

ISSN: 0305-4179

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 7 Citations

Scopus - 7 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00M-K29

DOI: 10.1016/j.burns.2016.08.014

Abstract (EN): Introduction: Despite the high burden of children with burns, there is not a paediatric burn unit Accepted 17 August 2016 (PBU) in Portugal. We aimed to estimate the Portuguese health care providing needs on paediatric bums. Methods: We performed a nation-wide retrospective study, between 2009 and 2013, among less than 16 years-old inpatients with burns that met the transfer criteria to a burn unit in Portugal. A bed-day approach was used, targeting an occupancy rate of 70-75%, and possible locations were studied. The primary outcome was the number of beds needed, and secondary outcomes were the overload and revenue for each possible number of beds in a PBU. Results: A total of 1155 children met the transfer criteria to a burn unit, representing a total of 17,371 bed-days. Occupancy rates of 11-bed, 12-bed, 13-bed and 14-bed PBU were, respectively, 79.7%, 75.3%, 71.0% and 66.8%. The 13-bed PBU scenario would represent an overload of 523 bed-days, revenue of more than 5 million Euros and a ratio of 1 PBU bed per 123,409 children. Conclusions: Using a groundbreaking approach, the optimal number of PBU beds needed in Portugal is 13. However, as half of the patients who met bum transfer criteria are not transferred, this bed number might be overestimated if this pattern maintains, despite the underestimation with our method approach. If a PBU is to be created the preferable location is Porto. Cost-effectiveness studies should be performed.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 8