Burns : journal of the International Society for Burn Injuries
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Modern burn care is centralised, and studies show that early, prompt referral to dedicated burn services improve clinical outcomes. We describe the use of a novel clinical instrument, the burn injury Transfer Feedback Form, to support and educate referring clinicians about the early assessment and management of burn injuries. Since 2005, Transfer Feedback Forms have been completed for all burn-injured patients with inter-hospital transfer to a specialised burn unit in the state of New South Wales (NSW), Australia. The aim of this study was to review physiological, procedural, and system or process issues in the care of both adult and paediatric burn-injured patients needing retrieval and transfer in NSW as identified by the Transfer Feedback Form. Secondary objectives were to determine any significant differences in these parameters between metropolitan and regional or remote referring institutions, and if any improvements occurred in these parameters over time. ⋯ Our analysis indicates that the early care of burn-injured patients undergoing inter-hospital transfer is associated with clinical, technical, and logistical challenges. However, introduction of the burn injury Transfer Feedback Form has been associated with improvements in early burn care by referring centres both temporally and geographically. Smartphone-based applications such as the NSW Trauma App have also probably contributed to these findings. Adopting these simple, inexpensive strategies into burn care systems will augment inter-hospital transfer of burn-injured patients, and improve clinical outcomes.
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Hand burns are common and treatment individualized, however given large volumes in some centers, pattern recognition may help optimize service provision. We performed a single center retrospective review from 2014 to 2018 of hand burns in patients aged 16 and over. Burns confined to the hands were considered isolated. ⋯ Isolated burns are usually unilateral scalds or contact burns, suited to outpatient treatment. Non-isolated burns are often flash or flame, bilateral, often needing ambulances, admission, and interventions. First aid can be improved, and consideration given to inpatient rehabilitation of bilateral hand burns.
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This study aimed to determine the effect of combined treatment with non-ablative laser and human stem cell-conditioned medium (HSCM) on tissue regeneration after burn-induced hypertrophic scar (HTS) formation. ⋯ These results suggest that HSCM has a positive effect on short-term results when applied after laser treatment of hypertrophic scars.
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Observational Study
Burn injuries in the older population and understanding the common causes to influence accident prevention.
The over 65 years old are a fast growing population leading to a future increase in patients. Burn injuries can have a serious effect on a patient's health, requiring longer hospital stays and affecting their mortality. The regional burns unit at Pinderfields General Hospital cares for all patients with burn injuries in the Yorkshire and Humber region in the United Kingdom. The aim of this study was to understand the common causes of burn injury in the elderly population and to provide scope on what actions need to be carried out to influence accident prevention in the future. ⋯ The main cause of burn injuries in the elderly of Yorkshire and Humber was food preparation. The majority of the food preparation burn injuries were a scald burn due to the handling of hot fluids, either from a saucepan or a kettle. A prevention strategy aiming to make people aware of this finding can help reduce burn injuries in the over 65 years old age group.
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Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) remain drastically underrepresented in health research, with African countries producing less than 1% of the global output. This work investigates authorship patterns of publications on burns in LMICs. Original research studies addressing burn injuries in LMICs and published between 1st January 2015 and 31st December 2020 were included in the review. ⋯ To overcome global health challenges such as burns, locally led research is imperative. The maximum benefit of HIC-LMIC collaborations is achieved when LMICs play an active role in leading the research. When LMICs direct the research being conducted in their country, the harm of inherently inequitable relationships is minimized.