Burns : journal of the International Society for Burn Injuries
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This study sought to establish appropriate timing of burn wound excision and grafting in a resource-poor setting in sub-Saharan Africa. ⋯ Early excision and grafting in a resource-poor area in sub-Saharan Africa is associated with a significant increase in mortality. Delaying the timing of early excision and grafting of burn patients in a resource-poor setting past burn day 5 may confer a survival advantage.
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Burn and other major injuries often impair survivors' capacity to work. We investigated predictors for not returning to work by six months after acute burn. Differences in demographic, clinical and psychiatric characteristics between burn patients returning to work and those not were examined. ⋯ Majority of the burn patients working at baseline returned to work by six months. Capacity to work after burn is predicted by both smaller %TBSA burned and lack of diagnosable mental disorders, particularly delirium or MDD, after burn.
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Safe and reliable vascular access is essential for the treatment and care of burn patients. Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) are widely used for various groups of critically and chronically ill patients. However, the information about PICC use and management for burn patients is limited. ⋯ Although PICCs are adequate for burn patient care, there are no protocols or guidelines covering rational and safe usage of PICCs. Standard guidelines on PICC placement and management specifically for burn patient should be developed.
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This study assessed whether photographs of burns on patients with dark-skin types could be used for accurate diagnosing and if the accuracy was affected by physicians' clinical background or case characteristics. ⋯ Size and depth of burns on patients with dark-skin types could be assessed at least as well using photographs as at bedside with 67.5% and 66.0% average accuracy rates. Case characteristics significantly affected the accuracy for burn size, but medical specialty and country of practice seldom did in a statistically significant manner.
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This article reports a chemical burn incident that occurred on 31 August 2013 in Shanghai. We describe situations at the scene, emergency management, triage, evacuation, and follow-up of the victims. ⋯ This mass casualty incident of anhydrous ammonia leakage caused potential devastating effects to the society, especially to the victims and their families. Early first-aid organization, emergency management, triage, and evacuation were of paramount importance, especially rapid evaluation of the severity of inhalation injury, and subsequent corresponding medical treatment. The prognosis of ammonia burns was poor and the sequelae were severe. Management and treatment lessons were drawn from this mass casualty chemical burn incident.