Journal of burn care & research : official publication of the American Burn Association
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Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Risk factors for outbreaks of multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae in critical burn patients.
The objective of this study is to identify the risk factors related to colonization or infection in an outbreak of multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae in a burn patient unit. The authors studied the risk factors associated with colonization or infection using a case-control study design involving patients with multidrug resistant K. pneumoniae (n = 26) and controls (n = 50). They describe the outbreak and provide a retrospective analysis that encompasses patient demographics, microbiological isolation, culture sites, burn features, inhalation injury, biomarkers (lactate and N-terminal probrain natriuretic peptide), general illness severity scores (Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II and Sepsis-related Organ Failure Assessment), burn-specific severity scores such as the Abbreviated Burn Severity Index (ABSI), length of stay, and mortality. ⋯ Multivariate analysis showed that the factors most significantly related to the development of infection or colonization with K. pneumoniae were burns located on head and neck (odds ratio, 4.81) and the ABSI score (odds ratio, 1.66). Control of the outbreak was achieved by enforcing contact precautions and extensive cleaning. An elevated ABSI score and burns located on the head and neck were the risk factors most significantly related to colonization or infection in an outbreak of multidrug-resistant K. pneumoniae in a critical burn patient unit.
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Comparative Study
A half-century of burn epidemiology and burn care in a rural state.
The aim of this study is to quantify the changes in incidence, severity, and mortality in burn injuries in the state of Maine over the past 50 years from both prevention and treatment perspectives. The authors analyzed the data from multiple sources, including the U. S. ⋯ Mortality for Maine burn patients, including those treated at Boston hospitals, is directly related to age and burn severity and similar to stratified mortality in the National Burn Repository. Incidence, severity, and mortality of burn injuries in Maine have decreased dramatically over the past 5 decades. Prevention programs, legislation, and a regionalized system of burn care have all likely contributed to bringing Maine's morbidity and mortality rate below the national average.
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Comparative Study
Risk factors for nosocomial infection and mortality in burn patients: 10 years of experience at a university hospital.
To evaluate the risk factors for nosocomial infection (NI) and mortality in a university hospital, 10-year data of burn patients were assessed retrospectively. The study was conducted at Erciyes University's Burn Center during 2000 and 2009. The records of 1190 patients were obtained. ⋯ Conversely, the most important risk factors for mortality were advanced age, high %TBSA and having an underlying disease. Prevention of NI is an important issue in burn units to reduce mortality rates. Early excision and wound closure are important therapeutic approaches for the prevention of burn wound infection.
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Postburn contracture is a source of significant morbidity in India, even though its occurrence can be reduced significantly by comprehensive postburn injury care, including surgical intervention. This study investigates whether limited access to initial medical care after burn injury has been associated with increased contracture formation among lower socioeconomic class patients in Mumbai, India. During a surgical mission in Mumbai, India, patients presenting with functionally debilitating burn contractures and minimal income were surveyed for initial care received immediately after burn injury. ⋯ Ultimately, 60 operations were performed, of which 9 (15%) developed postsurgical complications. These data suggest that a subset of lower socioeconomic class burn patients in Maharashtra received suboptimal initial intervention. Comprehensive initial therapy after burn injury may provide better outcomes and limit the number of patients requiring delayed reconstruction.
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Comparative Study
Burn injuries requiring hospitalization for infants younger than 1 year.
To investigate burn injuries requiring hospitalization sustained during the first year of life, clinical data collected during hospital treatment of infants younger than 1 year were reviewed. The principal aim was to chart the etiology and mechanism of burn injuries in this group to focus on the necessary preventive measures. The authors also review literature focusing especially on children younger than 1 year. ⋯ In 13 cases (65%), the initial TBSA was overestimated. Overall, it was concluded that burn injuries in this age group are most often witnessed and take place while the infant is being held at the same time as the hot item. Parental education on typical situations in which burn injuries happen in preambulatory infants may help reduce the number of burn injuries.