Mapping the Healing Process in the Burned Patient with Apple II High-Resolution Graphics

摘要

A system is described which allows data entry on burned patients. A random-access file is set up which contains not only patient name, chart number, and basic information about the injury, but also the information necessary to describe accurately the distribution of the injury over the surface of the body. The file is updated on a weekly basis as the patient undergoes surgical debridement, grafting, and spontaneous healing. A subprogram computes total body surface area still “open” or unhealed. This can be used as a weekly index of the patient's progress toward recovery, and plotted against time using APPLEPLOT. In addition, a graphics routine written in GBASIC plots standard Lund and Browder picture charts which can be followed serially, or outputted to a printer for a permanent weekly record in the patient's chart. The program is being used in a small, active burn unit to facilitate the recording of changes in patient status; and to gather data which may be of predictive value.