Burns : journal of the International Society for Burn Injuries
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Consistent evidence has emerged over many years that the mortality and morbidity outcomes for burn patients in low and middle-income countries (LMICs) lag behind those in more resource rich countries. Interburns is a charity that was set up with the aim of working to reduce the disparity in the number of cases of burns as well as the outcomes for patients in LMICs. ⋯ Recent externally reviewed projects have demonstrated sustained improvement with the use of this comprehensive and integrated approach over a three-year cycle. This overview paper will be supported by further publications that present these results in detail.
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Burn wound progression is a significant problem as burns initially thought to be superficial can actually become full thickness over time. Cooling is an efficient method to reduce burn wound conversion. However, if the cooling agent is below room temperature, depending on the wound size the patient is at risk of hypothermia. Additionally, tissue perfusion is reduced leading to an aggravation of burn wound progression. We investigated if wound dressings based on non-pre-cooled bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) with a high water content cool a burn just by evaporation and reduce the intradermal damages in the skin. ⋯ Based on our results, BNC-based wound dressings cool a burn. Intradermal temperature as well as thermal damage of the tissue was reduced. The tested BNC-based wound dressing can be used without pre-cooling to cool a burn as well as to reduce the burn BNC-based wound progression through its evaporation cooling effect.
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We used a smartphone to construct three-dimensional (3D) models of keloids, then quantitatively simulate and evaluate these tissues. ⋯ Smartphones were used to acquire data that was then employed to construct 3D models of keloids; these models yielded quantitative data with excellent reliability and validity. The smartphone can serve as an additional tool for keloid diagnosis and research, and will facilitate medical treatment over the internet.
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We investigated whether the availability of a tap water supply system is associated with lowering the admission rate 30 days after burn injury. ⋯ The results of this study demonstrated the association between lowering the admission rate at 30 days in burn patients in Taiwan and using a well-equipped tap water system. It also could offer important information to the government for enhancing the availability of tap water system in those areas lack adequate tap water supply which is useful to protect burn patients from following admission.
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Infection is the main cause of mortality and complications in burn patients. The present study was the first to examine the local profile and antecedents of bacterial infections among patients admitted to a Lebanese burn care center. ⋯ Existing burn management and infection control measures must be revised in order to reduce the incidence and improve the treatment of infections in burn patients.