Burns : journal of the International Society for Burn Injuries
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The rate of the MRSA strains, particularly at burn centers, is increasing worldwide. Detection of mupirocin resistance MRSA strains in the burn centers particularly from personnel will help to control these strains. For this purpose, a total of 116 Staphylococcus aureus isolates from the patients (burns) and personnel (nostrils) in Ahvaz Taleghani hospital (Iran) were investigated. ⋯ The carriage rates of the S. aureus, MRSA and MRSA with high-level mupirocin resistance in the personnel were 40%, 34% and 28%, respectively. In conclusions, the high prevalence of MRSA strains in the patients showed the potential outbreak of the MRSA in the burn center and highlighted the need of antibiotic susceptibility monitoring of MRSA. Moreover being personnel as a main reservoir in terms of MRSA strains with high-level mupirocin resistance emphasizes the screening of the personnel in terms of the MRSA in the healthcare system especially in the burn center.
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The aim of this study was to examine fire-related injuries leading to inpatient care in Finland. The Finnish National Hospital Discharge Register (2000-2009) and a sample of 222 patients from the Helsinki Burn Centre who sustained flame burns was used. During the 10-years study period, the incidence of fire-related injuries with inpatient care was approximately 5.6 per 100000 persons-years (n=295; males 74%, females 26%). ⋯ House fires caused the worst damage in terms of Total Body Surface Area burned and inhalation burns. Significantly more people die on the scene of the incident than during the hospital care. Targeting preventive measures in particular at older people and those with a tendency for alcohol abuse and smoking could potentially reduce the burden of the most severe flame burns.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Effects of puerarin on the inflammatory role of burn-related procedural pain mediated by P2X(7) receptors.
Burn injury can induce an inflammatory response in the blood and wound of patients. Procedural activities in burn patients are particularly problematic in burn care due to their high intensity and frequency; hence, procedural pain evoked by burn dressing changes is a common severe issue. Previous studies demonstrated that purinergic signalling is one of the major pathways involved in the initiation, progression and down-regulation of the inflammatory response. Adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) contributes to inflammation, and increased extracellular ATP levels amplify inflammation in vivo via the P2X7 receptor. In the present study, the effect of puerarin, an active ingredient extracted from Chinese herbal medicine Ge Gen, on pain relief of burn patients during dressing change and the mechanism related to the regulation of the purinergic signalling pathway were investigated. ⋯ The inflammation and associated pain involved in dressing changes of burn patients were relieved by puerarin treatment. The effects were correlated with the decreased expression level of P2X7 receptor mRNA and protein in PBMCs of burn patients.
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Thrombocytopenia is common in trauma and critically ill patients and is associated with a poor outcomes. The objective of this retrospective study was to investigate the course of thrombocyte concentration changes in burn patients, the influences of various factors on this course, and a possible predictive value of thrombocyte counts on outcome in 244 patients admitted to our burn centre. Their thrombocyte counts were obtained until 50 days after burn. ⋯ Furthermore, higher age, %TBSA and low thrombocyte counts at the peak are predictive for 50 day mortality (p<0.05). Platelets follow a distinct course after burn, influenced by %TBSA and age. These factors and a low thrombocyte peak count predict mortality.
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There is an extreme paucity of studies examining cost of burn care in the developing world when over 85% of burns take place in low and middle income countries. Modern burn care is perceived as an expensive, resource intensive endeavour, requiring specialized equipment, personnel and facilities to provide optimum care. If 'burn burden' of low and middle income countries (LMICs) is to be tackled deftly then besides prevention and education we need to have burn centres where 'reasonable' burn care can be delivered in face of resource constraints. ⋯ The bottom line of management is strict observation by burn staff. The low mean hospital stay also reflects our admission and discharge policy which is to benefit the maximum number of patients who require resuscitative/intensive care, and who have extensive and deep wounds, or injury of critical nature. We conclude that providing burn care based on our model can be emulated in other LICs as the costing is driven by 'necessity of expense' rather than 'ability to spend'.