Developing the first Bi-National clinical quality registry for burns--lessons learned so far

Prior to 2004, Australia and New Zealand lacked a systematic method to measure burn incidence, aetiology and quality of care or outcomes for burn patients. The Australian and New Zealand Burn Association (ANZBA) commenced the Bi-National Burns Registry (Bi-NBR) at that time. As a result of the limitations identified with the registry, ANZBA collaborated with Monash University to develop the registry as a clinical quality registry [1].

A Steering Committee was formed to oversee the conduct and development of the registry. A Reference Committee revised the minimum dataset and working parties developed clinical quality indicators, and an outcome pilot project.

Institutional ethics approval has been obtained for 16 out of 17 sites and a formalised governance process developed. The minimum dataset was improved and includes clinical quality indicators. The Bi-NBR clinical quality registry was launched on July 1st 2009. A long-term outcome pilot project has been developed with five burn units participating (recruitment commenced October 2009).

Through a rigorous development process, a clinical quality registry for burns has been established which allows benchmarking of processes and outcomes between units. The intention is that all burns units across Australia and New Zealand will contribute to the registry.