Burns : journal of the International Society for Burn Injuries
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To describe the effectiveness of a community-based program targeting prevention of self-immolation. Suicide by burning is rare in developed countries (0.1-1.8% of all suicides), but more frequent in developing countries (up to 41% of all suicides). Self-immolation constitutes from 0.4% to 40% of admissions to burn centers worldwide. During 2001, an average of 11 Iranians committed suicide daily, 4 of these being self-immolations (36%). Self-immolation caused from 4% to 28% of all admissions to Iranian burn centers. Approximately 80% of hospitalized self-immolation patients die. All descriptive self-immolation studies in Iran emphasize the need for implementing prevention programs. ⋯ A community prevention program targeting self-immolation can be effective. Local data and the showing of videos depicting victim stories from self-immolation attempts provided a stimulus for community action.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
A randomized trial comparing ReCell system of epidermal cells delivery versus classic skin grafts for the treatment of deep partial thickness burns.
Our purpose was to directly compare results obtained with the ReCell system and the classic skin grafting for epidermal replacement in deep partial thickness burns. ⋯ ReCell is a feasible, simple and safe technique. It gives similar results to skin grafting but, harvesting minor areas, can open possible future applications in the management of large-burns patients.
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Clinical Trial
The safety of nanocrystalline silver dressings on burns: a study of systemic silver absorption.
Wound dressings containing silver have been in widespread use for many years. However, there are few quantitative data on the systemic absorption of silver or whether there is associated clinical risk. ⋯ This study has confirmed our view that Acticoat products are safe for use on burns and they remain a standard part of treatment at our centre.
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As part of a larger study involving burned adults and parents of burned children, family members were asked for their views regarding the impact of burn on themselves and the family (N=50). The aim is to describe the range of psychosocial issues that psychosocial support programmes may need to address. ⋯ The results reveal commonalities within support needs across the three study groups (siblings, children, and partners). These are recommended as key elements in a family support programme: (i) normalising of family member's reactions to the burn. (ii) Advice, support, and information regarding scar permanence, realistic outcome expectations, acceptance of altered appearance, and potential after-effects of burn. (iii) Support in understanding how a burned individual may change or respond following injury and advice regarding constructive methods of coping with altered family dynamics and after-effects of burn. (iv) Advice to enable family members and their burned relative to effectively deal with potentially uncomfortable social encounters.
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A 5-year review of nosocomial infections, bacteraemia and wound colonization in patients admitted to a burn intensive care unit from June 2001 to May 2006 was carried out. All patients required intubation at some point, and ICU support. Data on bacterial and fungal isolates were entered prospectively into a hospital-wide computerized database. ⋯ The most common organisms causing nosocomial infections were Acinetobacter sp. (n=33), followed by methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) (n=24) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n=22). A. baumannii isolates were highly multiresistant, with 82 distinct strains isolated from 47 patients (82% of patients). Data from this and other studies supports the hypothesis that A. baumannii is more common in tropical, warm climes necessitating vigorous infection control measures to optimise patient outcome.