ePoster with Impact Presentation ANZBA Annual Scientific Meeting 2025

Evaluation of the first dedicated dietitian outpatient clinic for patients with burns in Australia and New Zealand (22891)

Tahlia Farragher 1 , Emma McShane 1 , Karina Lay 1 , Kate Lambell 2 , Emma Ridley 1 3 , Andrea Bramley 1 4 5 , Stephen Salerno 6 , Tam Quinn 6
  1. Nutrition and Dietetics , Alfred Health , Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
  2. Nutrition and Dietetics , Peninsula Helath, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
  3. ANZIC RC, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
  4. Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Food, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
  5. Department of Dietetics and Human Nutrition , La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
  6. Victorian Adult Burns Service, Alfred Health , Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Objective:
The long-term nutritional needs for patients with burn injuries are not well described. In 2023, the Australasian-first dedicated dietitian outpatient clinic (0.2 EFT) was implemented within the burns service at Alfred Health, Melbourne. This retrospective observational review aimed to describe patient characteristics and utilisation of the nutrition service within this clinic over a 12-month period.

Methods:
Data was collected from the electronic medical record from 1st July 2023 to 30th June 2024. Patient demographics (age, gender, %Total Burns Surface Area (TBSA)) were collected, as well as reason for nutrition referral, nutrition status, appointment mode and number of consultations.

Results:

During the 12-month period a total of 128 occasions of dietetic service were provided to 56 patients. Of these, 40 (71%) were male and 24 (43%) had >20% TBSA, with a median age 41 years (range 17-87). Referral reasons included; malnutrition/risk of malnutrition (n=37, 66%), loss of weight/poor oral intake (n=10, 18%), wound healing (n=2, 5%) and gastrointestinal symptoms (n=1, 2%). On assessment, 21 (38%) patients were diagnosed with malnutrition. Face-to-face care was provided to 28 (50%), whilst 10 (18%) received care over the telephone, and 15 (27%) received a combination of both. Most patients required one appointment (n=30, 53%), and eight (14%) patients required more than five dietetic reviews in a year, with one patient requiring a review each month. On average patients required 2.2 reviews per year.  

Conclusion:

The multi-modal nutrition service within the burns outpatient clinic was well utilised with malnutrition being the most frequent referral reason.