Burns : journal of the International Society for Burn Injuries
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The epidemiology, referral patterns and outcome of patients admitted to a tertiary burns unit in southern Africa were reviewed. ⋯ The epidemiology and outcome of severe burns referred to the Burns Centre at IALCH is similar to those in other units in Africa. The management and referral of burns patients by other hospitals are inappropriate in a significant number of patients.
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To develop an inter-professional clinical practice guideline for vocational evaluation following severe burn. ⋯ This guideline insures that vocational evaluators use an evidence-based approach to systematically assess elements within the individual, the work, workplace, personal and environmental facilitators and barriers to work participation. The guideline may be useful to clinicians, healthcare teams, employers and individuals with severe burns. Future steps will include guideline pilot testing and endorsement.
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To evaluate the effectiveness of the Danger Rangers Fire Safety Curriculum in increasing the fire safety knowledge of low-income, minority children in an urban community setting. ⋯ Fire safety knowledge improved among first to third grade children, but not among pre-kinder and kindergarten children who participated in the intervention. This study also showed that a program targeted towards children and delivered in a classroom setting has the potential to influence familial prevention practices by proxy.
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Research on the adult psychiatric outcomes of childhood burns is limited. ⋯ High rates of suicidality and depression were concerning in adults with a history of childhood burns. Factors found to predict psychiatric outcomes could be used to direct interventions and further research is needed to establish how this could best be done.
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Patients recovering from critical illness especially those with critical illness related neuropathy, myopathy, or burns to face, arms and hands are often unable to communicate by writing, speech (due to tracheostomy) or lip reading. This may frustrate both patient and staff. Two low cost movement tracking systems based around a laptop webcam and a laser/optical gaming system sensor were utilised as control inputs for on-screen text creation software and both were evaluated as communication tools in volunteers. ⋯ Both devices may be potentially useful communication aids in patients in general and burns critical care units who cannot communicate by conventional means, due to the nature of their injuries.