Burns : journal of the International Society for Burn Injuries
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Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) poses a threat for patients in burn units. Studies that mix epidemiological designs with molecular typing may contribute to the development of strategies for MRSA control. We conducted a study including: molecular characterization of Staphylococcal Chromosome Cassette mecA (SCCmec), strain typing with pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and detection of virulence genes, altogether with a case-case-control study that assessed risk factors for MRSA and for methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA), using S. aureus negative patients as controls. ⋯ Previous stay in other hospital and admission to Intensive Care Unit were independent risk factors for both MRSA and MSSA, while the number of burn wound excisions was significantly related with the former (OR=6.80, 95%CI=3.54-13.07). In conclusion, our study found polyclonal endemicity of MRSA in a burn unit, possibly related to importing of strains from other hospitals. Also, it pointed out to a role of surgical procedures in the dissemination of MRSA strains.
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The face is a frequent site of burn, but prevalence rates vary and reports are often limited to one healthcare setting. We examined the incidence of facial burns in the Netherlands in Emergency Departments (ED), hospitals and burn centres. Additionally, we identified which patient, injury and burn-related characteristics were predictors of facial burns, facial surgery and facial reconstruction in burn centres. ⋯ One in five patients with facial burns admitted to a Dutch burn centre received primary facial surgery and 1 in 20 received facial reconstructive surgery within a follow-up of minimum 2 years.
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The aim of this study was to map out some epidemiological aspects of unintentional burn injuries among Iranian victims using a national injury registry data. ⋯ Burns form a major health problem in Iran. Due to high mortality rate, the elderly need specific attention regarding burn prevention and treatment in this age group. Moreover, in spite of lower fatality, any prevention programme should have a focus on childhood burns mainly due to the overwhelming distribution of burns in children and the young population of Iran.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Effect of amniotic membrane on graft take in extremity burns.
Several studies have shown that the application of amniotic membrane as a biological dressing in the management of burns is accompanied by rapid re-epithelialisation and healing as it diminishes the oozing of plasma, bacterial count and fluid, protein and heat loss. This study evaluates the effect of amniotic membrane on graft take in split-thickness skin graft of extremity burns. ⋯ Our results show that although the amniotic membrane has no negative impact on graft take, it significantly reduces the duration of complete graft take, which is very important for both the patient and the health-care system.
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In order to identify parents at risk of developing ongoing psychological distress after their child has sustained a burn a greater understanding of paediatric medical trauma is required. ⋯ Parents of burn survivors experience significant psychological distress with low levels of resilience. As part of standard routine care health professionals should screen parents to identify those at greatest risk and provide effective evidence based interventions aimed at improving resilience and reducing stress.