Burns : journal of the International Society for Burn Injuries
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Telemedicine technologies have a valuable potential when it comes to improving the accuracy of triage protocols in selecting severely injured patients who may benefit from transportation. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the correlation of the urgent diagnosis made by telemedicine through an App with traditional face-to-face urgent care and the final diagnosis, made by scheduled consultation. ⋯ The telemedicine system for planning referrals is a useful tool that may make significant differences in the management of burned patients although further research needs to be taken in that direction.
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Unsafe tap water temperatures (>120 °F) are a risk factor for pediatric burns, which may disproportionally impact low-income, urban communities. We sought to estimate the incidence and demographic characteristics of tap water burns and their association with housing characteristics. ⋯ Our results identified a significant number of tap water burns in children. Primary prevention efforts targeting education or regulation of water temperatures may work to reduce burns in underserved areas.
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Appropriate fluid administration in severe burns is a cornerstone of early burns management. The American Burns Association's (ABA) recommendation is to administer 2 mL-4 mL × burnt Body Surface Area (BSA) × weight in the first 24 h with half administered in the first eight hours. Unfortunately, the calculations involved are complex and clinicians do not estimate the BSA or weight well, which can lead to errors in the amount of fluid administered. To simplify cognitive load to calculate the fluid resuscitation of early burns, the investigators derived the PHIFTEEN B (15-B) guideline. The 15-B guideline estimates the initial hourly fluid for adults ≥ 50 kg to be: 15 mL × BSA (to the nearest 10%) AIMS: To model and determine the accuracy of the 15-B calculated based on the characteristics of a retrospective cohort of patients admitted with ≥ 20% BSA to the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital (RBWH) Intensive Care Unit (ICU). ⋯ The 15-B formula is a simple, easy to calculate guideline which approximates the early fluid estimates in severely burned patients despite inaccuracy in prehospital BSA estimates.