Burns : journal of the International Society for Burn Injuries
-
Infection remains the primary cause of morbidity and mortality in the burns patient population. While candidal infection in burns patients is well described, there is dearth of information regarding non-candidal fungal infections in this setting. ⋯ We demonstrate a low incidence and attributable mortality of non-candidal fungal infections in the setting of early antifungal therapy and extensive surgical debridement at our state-wide Burns Service.
-
The Burn Specific Health Scale (BSHS) is designed to measure burn-specific, health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The aim of the present study was to evaluate the reliability and validity of the Chinese version of the abbreviated BSHS (BSHS-A). ⋯ The present study demonstrated that the BSHS-A (Chinese version) has good psychometric properties, showing suitable internal consistency and test-retest reliability. The BSHS-A may, thus, be useful for assessing HRQoL in Chinese burn victims. However, adaptations may be required to reduce its length.
-
A growing awareness of psychological and functional impairment due to burns have led to the development of specific instruments to evaluate Quality of Life in this population, such as the Burn Specific Health Scale - Brief (BSHS-B), whose psychometric properties have been consistently verified. The aim of this study was to translate the BSHS-B into Italian and to investigate its reliability and validity. ⋯ The Italian translation of BSHS-B has shown satisfactory internal consistency, criterion validity, and convergent validity, supporting its application in routine clinical practice as well as in international studies.
-
Comparative Study
Differences between intentional and non-intentional burns in India: Implications for prevention.
Non-intentional and deliberate burns in India and other developing countries present particular challenges of prevention and treatment. This exploratory study sought improved understanding of burns in order to inform treatment and prevention. ⋯ Analysis indicated that: (1) the conditions that facilitate intentional and non-intentional burns are similar, but intentional burns involve additional contributory factors; (2) a high proportion of patients subjected to burns are young women in domestic situations; and (3) a higher proportion of their TBSA was burned, with consequent higher mortality than for men. It was concluded that: (1) Haddon's matrix and the situational crime prevention framework of criminology assist in understanding the etiology of intentional burns and in identifying preventive measures; (2) social service and criminal justice agencies have important roles in dealing with victims of intentional burns during and after treatment; (3) full account should be taken of gender-related physical, psychological and family factors in planning treatment; and (4) maintaining careful records of burns cases is vital for estimating the prevalence and incidence of intentional injuries.
-
Burn care and research have significantly improved over the past years. However, insurance coverage of such treatments does not reflect the improvements in this multi-disciplinary field. ⋯ Using case studies from both countries, we have analyzed both the institutional and policy approach to pediatric burn treatment coverage. Subsequently, by presenting the Shriners burn care model, we offer a policy recommendation to both the Swiss and the American governments to better their present legislation and infrastructure on pediatric burn coverage.