Digital store and forward imaging as a quality assessment tool for emergency plastic surgery consultations.

Introduction: Plastic surgery is a frequently consulted service in most emergency departments (EDs). The inclusion of a digital image with a plastic surgery consultation would allow the consultant to immediately assess the severity of the condition and either provide instruction to ED staff if minor or mobilize resources to facilitate operative management if more severe.

Methods: During a 4-month period, all plastic surgery consultations that were seen in person by one of 4 senior plastic surgery residents were included.