Abstract Journal Burn Surgery

Abstract Introduction An institutional Burn Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Rounding Tool was implemented for both quality improvement data collection and trainee education. Forms are completed by trainee team members daily for all critically ill patients prior to teaching rounds. Gathered data are structured to facilitate evaluation of patient volume status, sepsis risk and ventilator management. The forms are then used to guide discussion among students, residents, mid-level providers, fellows, attending surgeons and other members of the multi-disciplinary rounding team. We conducted a series of interviews with trainees regarding their user experience to assess the tool’s educational utility. Methods A convenience sample of residents who had recently completed their Burn Surgery rotation were interviewed in a structured format. Questions focused on the form’s ease of use and comprehensibility. Emphasis was placed on the extent to which it stimulates learning while rounding. Additional feedback was sought for the purpose of improving the tool for continued use. Results Participants were post-graduate year one or two resident physicians training in General Surgery, Urology, Emergency Medicine or Anesthesia. Prior experience and comfort with ICU level care ranged from very little to moderate. All interviewees found the tool helpful in their patient assessments, though the current layout of the form was a frustration for many. Overall, they unanimously found the forms beneficial for preparation of patient presentations and felt that utilization during rounds facilitated learning. Conclusions Interviews with trainees on their burn surgery rotation demonstrate that implementation of an ICU Rounding Tool has provided educational benefit, particularly for those less experienced in intensive care. Feedback from this cohort will be used to improve the tool’s usability. Our next steps will include a more formal survey of all trainees involved since the inception of this project.

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