Burns : journal of the International Society for Burn Injuries
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Burn disasters present a challenge not only to burn centers but the entire healthcare system. Most burn centers worldwide are unprepared to deal with a burn disaster as it is an uncommon event. We investigated the status of burn center preparedness in German-speaking countries to respond to a burn disaster. ⋯ Nevertheless, there are some gaps in the areas of planning and preparation, funding for disaster activities, and regular training of staff for burn disasters. We call for a unified burn disaster plan and increased cooperation between burn centers and civil defense regarding communication and training. We strongly recommend the implementation of a special disaster fund and telemedicine in disaster management to circumvent shortages in burn staff.
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Comparative Study
Comparison of a topical surfactant and a topical antibiotic in the rat comb burn model.
Burn injury progression in the secondary zone of ischemia is common leading to delayed healing and increased scarring. We hypothesized that a topical surfactant, would reduce burn injury progression in a validated rat comb burn model compared with topical antibiotic ointment. ⋯ A topical surfactant did not reduce injury progression in the rat comb burn model when compared with antibiotic ointment. The surfactant was more durable than the antibiotic ointment.
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Comparative Study
Comparison of the efficacy of silver-based antimicrobial burn dressings in a porcine model of burn wounds.
A variety of silver-based antimicrobial dressings are available on the market and are commonly used to prevent infection. Such prophylaxis is particularly important in treating burns, yet there is a paucity of evidence confirming the efficacy of commercially available dressingsin vivo. We describe here an in vivo porcine model of burns, which we use to test the antimicrobial efficacy of three common wound dressings and a control. ⋯ Nanocrystalline silver-based wound dressings generally outperformed silver-plated nylon and high-oxidation silver salts in thisin vivo model of burn wounds. Relative to prophylactic use, it may be advisable to change the dressings more frequently when treating an infected wound.
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Improvement in the care of burn patients has led to decreased mortality. Length of stay (LOS) has been used as a marker for quality of care in this population. However, the historical association of LOS as correlating only with % burn surface area (BSA) injury has been questioned with retrospective data suggesting other factors may also be associated with LOS. A model to predict prolonged LOS does not exist but could provide important information for clinicians and patients. ⋯ Prolonged hospitalization following burns is predicted by patient age (in decades), TBSA, hypertension, perineal involvement, and abnormal white blood cell count.