Burns : journal of the International Society for Burn Injuries
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Since insight into the motivation of behaviour in bioethanol related burn accidents is lacking, this study aimed to qualitatively examine influencing factors in bioethanol related burn accidents. In order to identify target points for effective burn prevention. ⋯ Trust in consumers may be over-estimated, as proper use cannot be expected. To prevent future bioethanol related burn incidents, thresholds for obtaining and using bioethanol should be increased, safe alternatives to ignite open fires and wood stoves should be provided and knowledge and warnings should be improved.
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This study aimed to investigate the causes, outcomes, and compensation amounts of saline-induced perioperative burns, a rare but entirely preventable event. Saline-induced burns pose a significant risk to patients, and understanding the factors associated with such incidents is crucial for improving patient safety. Previous studies highlighted the use of hot saline bags and solution during medical procedures as a potential cause of these burns. ⋯ Compensation amounts ranged from no monetary compensation to over one million dollars. This study highlights the need for increased awareness among medical professionals regarding the risks associated with saline-induced burns, and the importance of implementing guidelines for the safe use of hot saline bags and solution. Together these measures can hopefully mitigate the occurrence of these preventable incidents, improve patient safety, and reduce medicolegal exposure.
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Herein, we report the results of a quality improvement project (QI). Following a review of the burn unit practices, a nursing-led, physician supported educational intervention regarding optimal timing, dosage, and indication for medications used during hydrotherapy, including midazolam and opioids, was implemented. We hypothesized that such intervention would support improvement in both nurse and patient satisfaction with pain control management. ⋯ Nurses' ratings of their patient's pain control (9 [7.3-10] vs. 7.5 [6-9], p = 0.004) and ease of procedure (10 [9,10] vs. 9 [7.8-10], p = 0.037) significantly improved. Patients' pain management satisfaction rating did not change, but the number of subjects rating their pain management as excellent tended to increase (36.4% vs. 20%, p = 0.077). Nursing led, physician supported, education can improve medication administration prior to and during hydrotherapy, increasing the ease of the procedure as well as staff satisfaction.
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Contractures are a frequent consequence of burn injuries, yet our knowledge of associated risk factors is limited. This paper provides an extensive review of relevant literature from both High-Income Countries (HICs) and Low-Middle Income Countries (LMICs). Ninety-four papers (up to June 2019) and eight subsequent publications (up to March 2022) were included, 76% of which were from HICs. ⋯ This review is the first to collate existing knowledge on risk factors for burn contractures from both HIC and LMIC settings, revealing a surprising lack of robust evidence for many accepted risk factors. In LMICs, where burns are particularly common, universal health provision is lacking and specialist burn care is both scarce and difficult to access; consequently, socioeconomic factors may have more immediate impact on contracture outcomes than specific burn treatments or therapies. Much more work is indicated to fully understand the relative impacts of risk factors in different settings so that context-appropriate contracture prevention strategies can be developed.
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Telemedicine in outpatient burn care, particularly in burn scar management, may provide cost-effective care and comes highly rated by patients. However, an effective scar scale using both video and photographic elements has not been validated. The purpose of this study is to test the reliability of the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS) using live video-conferencing. ⋯ Evaluation of burn scars using the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale can be accurately performed via live videoconferencing and presents an opportunity to expand access to burn care to rural communities, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, where patients face significant access barriers to appropriate follow-up care.