Journal of burn care & research : official publication of the American Burn Association
-
The objectives of this study are to describe the proportion, mechanism, severity, and outcomes of hot beverage scald injuries in children presenting at a major burns centre in 2013 and to compare these results with data collected at the same centre 10 years before. A cross-sectional trend analysis was performed to determine the differences in proportion, mechanism, severity, and outcomes of hot beverage scalds in 0-year to 14-year old children presenting to the Stuart Pegg Paediatric Burns Centre, Royal Children's Hospital, Brisbane, Australia, between January 1 and December 31, 2013 and compare these data to presentations at the same burns centre between 1999 and 2002. ⋯ The decrease in admissions, skin grafts, and scar management requirements can be attributed to several factors; moving from silver sulfadiazine to silver-impregnated dressings at SPBBC from 2003, changes in excision and skin grafting practices, modified referral patterns, a move to non-inpatient care for minor burns, and the increased application of first aid. However, what has not changed is hot beverage scalds remain the leading cause of childhood burns making it a major pediatric public health issue.
-
For those at risk for cold-related injury, frostbite contributes significant morbidity through loss of limbs and digits. Frostbite injury generally affects distal extremities first and spreads proximally as the time of exposure increases. ⋯ The authors found high reliability between raters using the Hennepin score worksheet, suggesting consistency with applying the score to frostbite injury and outcomes (intraclass correlation, 0.93; confidence interval, 0.88-0.97). The Hennepin score allows for a standard means to accurately measure injury and outcomes, which will aid in the study of treatment outcomes of frostbite injuries.
-
This study aimed to investigate the effect of music on the background pain, anxiety, and relaxation levels in burn patients. In this pretest-posttest randomized controlled clinical trial, 100 hospitalized burn patients were selected through convenience sampling. Subjects randomly assigned to music and control groups. ⋯ No differences were detected in the mean scores of physiologic measures between groups before and after music intervention. Music is an inexpensive, appropriate, and safe intervention for applying to burn patients with background pain and anxiety at rest. To produce more effective comfort for patients, it is necessary to compare different types and time lengths of music intervention to find the best approach.
-
The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether the sample of older adults in a home fire safety (HFS) study captured participants living in the areas at highest risk for fire occurrence. The secondary aim was to identify high risk areas to focus future HFS interventions. Geographic information systems software was used to identify census tracts where study participants resided. ⋯ Study participants' means for median annual family income (P < .0001) and median home value (P < .0001) were significantly lower than the census tract means (n = 46), indicating participants were at higher risk of fire occurrence. Of the 92 census tracts identified as high or severe risk in the entire county, the study intervention was implemented in 39% (n = 36), indicating 56 census tracts as potential areas for future HFS interventions. The Geographic information system-based fire risk model is an underutilized but important tool for practice that allows community agencies to develop, plan, and evaluate their outreach efforts and ensure the most effective use of scarce resources.
-
The cost associated with a single burn injured patient can be significant. The American healthcare system functions in part based on traditional market forces which include supply and demand. In addition, there are a variety of payer sources with disparate payment for the same services. ⋯ Knowing where to turn and what may be available can help assure that the institution caring for this group of high cost patients does not simultaneously take on significant financial risk in the aftermath of the disaster. This article includes national (United States) financial data with respect to burn injury, and focuses on (United States) governmental financial resources during and after a disaster. This review includes identifying and discussing traditional financial support, as well as atypical but established programs where, during a disaster, health care institutions may be eligible for assistance to cover part or all of the associated costs.