Burns : journal of the International Society for Burn Injuries
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Health administrative databases may provide rich sources of data for the study of outcomes following burn. We aimed to determine the accuracy of International Classification of Diseases diagnoses codes for burn in a population-based administrative database. ⋯ Administrative data diagnosis codes accurately identify burn by burn size and mechanism, while identification of inhalation injury or full-thickness burns is less sensitive but highly specific.
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The prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms (ARO) in burn units is increasing worldwide and contributes significantly to morbidity and mortality. Study aims are to describe the burden of AROs in burn patients admitted to a tertiary burn unit, to evaluate the impact of contact precautions implemented after an outbreak of antibiotic-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii, and to identify possible predictors of ARO acquisition. ⋯ This study describes the ARO profile of burn patients admitted to a tertiary burn unit. The results suggest that implementation of unit-wide contact precautions may not significantly reduce the frequency of AROs among burn patients. Contact precautions for patients transferred from the ICU, undergoing surgery, and large burns may be of benefit.
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To evaluate the efficacy of mannitol solution as a decontamination agent on the chemical burn of the human corneas. ⋯ In eye bank human corneas, mannitol proved to be an efficient agent to decontaminate HF burn.
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Resuscitation from burn shock using fresh frozen plasma (FFP) has been described. Critics of FFP resuscitation cite the development of transfusion related acute lung injury (TRALI) as a deterrent to its use. This study examines the occurrence of TRALI with FFP resuscitation of critically ill burned patients. ⋯ The possible occurrence of TRALI in burn patients receiving FFP resuscitation should be weighed against the reported benefits of such a resuscitation strategy.
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Portable pulsed xenon ultraviolet disinfection (PPX-UVD) may reduce healthcare associated infections (HAI). There is limited data to inform use in burn intensive care units (BICU), where multidrug-resistant organisms (MDRO), especially gram negative rods (GNR), commonly cause disease. We evaluated PPX-UVD effects on environmental bioburden and rates of HAI and MDRO acquisition in a BICU. ⋯ The 379 colonies largely represented skin commensals, without identified MDRO. Following PPX-UVD, no changes in device-associated infections, overall MDRO, or MDR GNR were seen, though a prolonged interval without healthcare-associated Clostridium difficile infection was observed. PPX-UVD in a BICU reduced overall environmental bioburden, without a statistically significant impact on HAI or MDRO.