Burns : journal of the International Society for Burn Injuries
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Comparative Study
Microbiological findings in burn patients treated in a general versus a designated intensive care unit: Effect on length of stay.
Infection is one of the most common causes of mortality and morbidity in burn patients. The incidence and frequency of microbiological micro-organisms are known to vary across different models of intensive care units. To date, no study has attempted to describe the different findings in burn patients treated in an open, general intensive care unit (GICU) versus a dedicated burns intensive care unit (BICU). Only limited data is available on the effect of these microbiological micro-organisms on patients' length of stay. ⋯ There are notable differences in the microbiological isolate and antibiotic resistance patterns between burn patients treated in a GICU compared to a designated BICU. In both units, testing positive for resistant microbiological micro-organisms is significantly associated with longer hospital stay.
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Steam vaporizers are used to humidify air in dry environments. They are marketed to moisten children's airway secretions and thus to help relieve symptoms associated with upper respiratory tract infections. Unfortunately the steam emitted from the unit can also pose a significant risk of burns to children. Our study aimed to ascertain patterns of injury and treatment outcomes from steam burns resulting from these devices. Potential preventative measures are discussed. ⋯ Steam vaporizers can cause significant burns in the paediatric population. Toddlers were most at risk, frequently sustaining hand burns that underwent skin grafting. Greater public awareness of the danger is indicated and measures to prevent such injuries should be addressed by appropriate authorities.
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Pharmacokinetics of drugs can be significantly altered in burn patients. The aim of our study was to validate if the current hospital-wide standard dosage of 7mg/kg total bodyweight gentamicin is sufficient to achieve an adequate prophylactic Cmax (Cmax≥20mg/L). ⋯ The current hospital-wide standard dosage of 7mg/kg total bodyweight is sufficient to achieve an adequate prophylactic Cmax in burn patients undergoing surgical burn wound treatment.
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With the popularity of the Internet as a primary source of health-related information, the aim of this website content analysis was to assess the accuracy and quality of burn first aid information available on the Internet. ⋯ The inaccurate and inconsistent burn first aid treatments that appear online are reflected in the often-incorrect burn first aid treatments seen in patients attending emergency departments. Global consistency in burn first aid information is needed to avoid confusion by members of the public.
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Electrical injuries and especially those of high voltage still remain a source of high morbidity. Over the past few years, a change in the epidemiologic profile of these lesions was noticed at the Vall d'Hebron University Hospital Burn Unit, corresponding to an increase in cases out of the legal framework. It is our aim to describe this particular subset, to determine the extent of their injuries and to understand the reason for their increased incidence. We think this was favoured by the rise in the unemployment rate, along with higher copper prices.