The Mersey Burns App: evolving a model of validation

Area of Science:

• Medical Technology
• Emergency Medicine
• Burn Care

Background:

• The Mersey Burns App is a digital tool designed for assessing total burn surface area (TBSA) and calculating fluid resuscitation.
• Traditional methods like the Lund and Browder chart are paper-based and can be time-consuming.
• Evaluating the efficiency and accuracy of digital tools is crucial for improving emergency medical care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the speed and accuracy of the Mersey Burns App against the Lund and Browder chart for TBSA and fluid calculations.
• To assess user preference and ease of use between the app and the paper chart among medical trainees and consultants.
• To evaluate the impact of the app on inexperienced medical staff in burn assessment.

Main Methods:

• Two studies were conducted: one with experienced clinicians and one with medical students unfamiliar with burn assessment.
• Participants used both the Mersey Burns App and the Lund and Browder chart to calculate TBSA and fluid resuscitation for simulated burns.
• Data collected included calculation speed, accuracy, and user preference via anonymous surveys.

Main Results:

• Clinicians using the app showed reduced variance in TBSA and fluid calculations (p<0.05).
• Medical students using the app completed calculations faster and more accurately (p<0.001).
• Students overwhelmingly preferred the app for its ease of use, confidence, speed, and accuracy (p<0.0001).

Conclusions:

• The Mersey Burns App offers a more efficient and accurate method for TBSA and fluid resuscitation calculations compared to traditional charts.
• The app is favored by users, particularly inexperienced staff, suggesting its utility in improving burn patient care.
• Digital tools like the Mersey Burns App can enhance the capabilities of medical professionals in critical care settings.