Journal of burn care & research : official publication of the American Burn Association
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After scalds, flame burns have been considered the next most common mode of burn injury in childhood. Recent experience in the authors' unit suggested that contact burns were becoming more frequent. The authors sought to determine the contemporary frequency of different burn modalities in children presenting to a burns unit. ⋯ No seasonal variation was demonstrated amongst contact burns, reflecting the variety of mechanisms involved. The data suggest a change in the historical pattern of pediatric burns previously reported in the literature. These findings have implications for public health awareness and burns prevention campaigns.
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The purpose of this study is to document the organization and current practices in physical rehabilitation across burn centers. An online survey developed for the specific purposes of this study sought information regarding a) logistics of the burn center; b) inpatient and outpatient treatment of patients with burn injury; and c) specific protocols in the treatment of a few complications secondary to burn injuries. Of the 159 responses received, 115 were received from the United States, 20 from Australia, 16 from Canada, and 7 from New Zealand. ⋯ The trunk and areas of head and neck were treated by both PTs and occupational therapists, whereas the lower extremities continue to be treated predominantly by PTs. Some common practices regarding treatment of a few complications secondary to burn injuries such as splinting to prevent contractures, treatment of exposed or ruptured extensor tendons, exposed Achilles tendons, heterotopic ossification, postoperative ambulation, conditioning, scar massage, and use of compression garments are described. Opportunities exist for 1) developing a common document for practice guidelines in physical rehabilitation of burns; and 2) conducting collaborative studies to evaluate treatment interventions and outcomes.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Comparisons of the effects of biological membrane (amnion) and silver sulfadiazine in the management of burn wounds in children.
This prospective study was conducted on 102 children with second-degree thermal burns to assess qualitative differences between topical silver sulfadiazine (SD) and oven-dried, radiation-sterilized human amnion as wound dressing. The patients were divided into silver SD and amniotic membrane (AM) group by random sampling technique. The variables compared 1) the number of days admitted in the hospital, 2) the number of dressing changes, 3) time needed for epithelialization, 4) comfort and pain of the patients during dressing, 5) comfort and pain of the patients between dressings, 6) activities during treatment, 7) acceptability of the modules by the patients or attending guardians, and 8) comfort of the doctor during application. ⋯ The use of AM is painless and odorless. The procedure is easy and comfortable to the doctor, and it is well accepted. Most of the patients remain ambulatory during treatment.
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Comparative Study
Employment outcomes after burn injury: a comparison of those burned at work and those burned outside of work.
This study compares employment rates and barriers to return to work in subjects burned at work with those burned outside of work. Further, this study examines the influence of electrical etiology on return to work outcomes. The electronic records of burn survivors treated at a Regional Burn Center outpatient clinic from 2001 to 2007 were retrospectively reviewed. ⋯ Burn survivors experience multiple complex barriers in returning to work. Burn at work is a significant predictor of unemployment at 1 year even after controlling for electric etiology. Further study is required to better understand the influence of work setting on employment outcomes.
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The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the psychosocial needs of nurses who care for patients with severe burn injuries. Burns nurses work in an emotionally challenging and confronting environment, for which they are in need of emotional and clinical support. Exposure to such high levels of stress in this occupational environment has implications for nurses' health and psychosocial well-being. ⋯ The findings clearly demonstrate that support and unity within the workplace are fundamental factors for the psychosocial well-being of nurses caring for patients who have sustained a severe burn injury. Support for nurses in the form of regular professional or collegial debriefing sessions and utilization of employee assistance programs could ease the impact of the stressful environment in which they operate, and could influence staff retention. However, a supportive workplace culture is necessary to encourage nurses to access these services.