Burns : journal of the International Society for Burn Injuries
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Fatigue has been identified as an outcome of concern following burn but is rarely captured in outcomes studies. We aimed to: (i) describe the prevalence, and predictors, of moderate to severe fatigue in the first 12 months following burn, and (ii) establish the association between fatigue and health-related quality of life and work outcomes. ⋯ More than a quarter of participants reported moderate to severe fatigue on the BFI at 12-months and fatigue was strongly associated with poorer health-related quality of life and greater work-related disability.
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We aimed to understand the effect diabetes plays on the extent of complications and patient outcomes in burn trauma. ⋯ Diabetic patients have a higher odds of sustaining wound infections, local infections and urinary tract infection. However, diabetic patients did not have a higher odds of longer hospital stay or mortality.
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Comparative Study
An analysis of deep vein thrombosis in burn patients (Part 1): Comparison of D-dimer and Doppler ultrasound as screening tools.
The high prevalence of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) reported in prospective studies and the unreliability of clinical diagnosis mandates prospective screening for DVT in burn patients. Our study seeks to compare D-dimer and Doppler ultrasound (DUS) in search for a practical, inexpensive and a reliable screening tool. ⋯ We conclude that D-dimer is not a useful screening tool for DVT in burns contrary to its accepted value in general trauma and medical patients.
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The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of outpatient care on activities at the Adults' Regional Burns Centre and the Children's Regional Burns Unit, Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust UK, where outpatient and inpatient responsibilities are shared between the nursing staff. Data for all inpatient and outpatient interactions (all care related activities with the presence of a Registered Nurse (RN)) was collected prospectively by the attending RN for two consecutive months (October and November 2014). We also retrospectively collected data related to daily RN staffing levels, and Centre/Unit admissions and discharges. ⋯ Considering this burden and collating it with daily RN staffing levels, we highlighted an understaffing in 42.6% (26/61) of the days for the Adult Regional Burn Centre and in 100% (61/61) of the days and nights for the Children Regional Burn Unit. The impact of outpatients on the activities of a Burns Centre/Unit is a factor that should be taken into account when evaluating staffing needs and planning services. This is a variable not currently considered in any guideline for safe staffing.
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Burns amongst children in South Africa are common and usually occur in the immediate home environment. In surveys many parents have requested ongoing educational burn prevention programs. This exploratory thematic parent orientation study assessed the level of parental knowledge on burn prevention strategies in the home. ⋯ Our findings show that people living in environments optimal for burn incidents know relatively little about burn prevention strategies. Future intervention needs to not only target the population's behavior but most importantly needs to promote better education models.