Burns : journal of the International Society for Burn Injuries
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To compare patient and burn characteristics between patients who had a pre-existing psychiatric diagnosis and patients who did not in a Burn Unit at an academic hospital. ⋯ Presence of a pre-existing psychiatric disorder in the burn patient was associated with worse outcomes and was a significant predictor of death. Psychiatric diagnoses should be identified early in burn treatment and efforts should be made to ensure a comprehensive approach to inpatient support and patient discharge to reduce unfavorable burn outcomes and placement issues.
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Among service members injured in Iraq and Afghanistan, to determine the risk of mortality associated with combat-related burns to the genitalia, perineum, and buttocks. ⋯ Among those with relatively survivable combat-related burns (<60% TBSA), genital/perineal/buttock involvement increases the risk of death. Bacteremia may account for part of this increased risk, but does not fully explain the independent risk associated with perineal burns.
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There is a paucity of research on reducing dressing adherence. This is partly due to lack of an in vitro model, recreating the clinical variability of wounds. Previously we described an in vitro gelatin model to evaluate adherence in a standardized manner. We present evaluation of strategies to reduce adherence in six dressings. ⋯ This model allows for reproducible measurement of dressing adherence. Different interventions affect various dressings. No single intervention optimally decreases adherence for all dressings.