Burns : journal of the International Society for Burn Injuries
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Psychosocial risk and protective factors specific to acute burn patients have been shown to impact on longer-term health outcomes. Yet the nature and impact of such factors throughout the acute hospital admission phase have not been extensively examined to date. This study analysed the psychosocial pre-admission, hospitalisation and discharge factors for a sample of burn patients at an Australian specialist acute burns unit (The Alfred) and the relationship with their admission length. ⋯ A diversity of psychosocial factors was identified, highlighting the clinical complexity of this patient group. Given three domains of admission-related psychosocial factors were predictive of the length of patient stay, more targeted psychosocial interventions in these areas may ensure patients and their families are supported more effectively throughout an admission, and length of stay costs may also be reduced.
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To evaluate the impact of comorbidity and predicting value of the modified Elixhauser comorbidity index score on the outcome of burn patients. ⋯ Pre-existing medical conditions lead to more severe and worse outcomes among burn patients. Modified Elixhauser comorbidity index score should be used as a prognosis factor for outcomes of burn patients.
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Detailed quantitative analysis of results, influence of position within logistic systems and consequence of dangerous goods ammonia has been done based on a sample of 1165 workers or third persons involved in 295 accidents. Results of accidents for those involved have been classified as unhospitalized, hospitalized survived, hospitalized deceased and killed. From the logistic point of view accidents with ammonia are located in production, storage, reloading, transport and use subsystems. ammonia's consequences are systematized in the following manner: Respiratory-Toxic (RT), Cold Injury (CI), Fire and Burns (FB), and mechanical consequences after explosions (EX). ⋯ Cold Injury by ammonia in 47.5% of accidents includes 65.23% of persons involved in accident, but the most invasive consequence of ammonia is RT. Significantly critical fatal outcomes of accidents has been found for Respiratory-Toxic consequence of ammonia in the reloading subsystem, with extremely high average value of 0.4193 killed per accident. Based on obtained results of research certain procedures are proposed to reduce the risk of serious consequences of ammonia's dangerous influence.
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Animal-assisted interventions have been implemented in both inpatient and outpatient settings and have demonstrated positive outcomes on patients and hospital staff. Animal-assisted interventions have not been previously reported in any burn center. A therapy dog program was established at our burn center with the intent of improving duration and quality of rehabilitation sessions and physical therapy. ⋯ Most reported an improved mood after seeing the therapy dogs and wanted that additional therapy dog visits. One year after the implementation of the therapy dog program, we have demonstrated feasibility, acceptability, and desirability of this type of program at our burn center. Given the paramount importance of rehabilitation in the recovery of burn patients, further investigation into therapy should be performed and longer term outcomes assessed.
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Direct current (DC) powered equipment and devices, including photovoltaic systems, high-voltage direct current power lines and novel concepts in electromobility have become increasingly popular in recent years. However, under adverse circumstances by malfunction or mishandling of these applications electrical injuries may occur when electric current passes through the human body. This review aimed at systematically summarizing the medical consequences of DC electrical injuries described in case reports and case series. ⋯ From the few available data and partly incomplete documentations of cases we could gather hints of DC medical consequences, however, it was not possible to identify well-defined medical consequences for various circumstances of DC electrical injuries in occupational and non-occupational settings. To achieve this goal, additional studies are required, each providing a comprehensive description of the medical consequences and the circumstances of the electrical injuries.