Burns : journal of the International Society for Burn Injuries
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The escalating cost of modern healthcare is threatening the fundamental "free at the point of delivery" principle of the UK National Health Services. A new remuneration system using a fixed tariff for pre-assigned diagnostic groups caters poorly for the heterogeneity of burn injuries. This study was to develop a system for Patient Level Costing (PLC), the first steps of which were to determine the true cost of burn care at service level. ⋯ We hope application of this new system of Patient Level Costing to burn care will avoid the threatened viability of burn services imposed by changes in remuneration, although it will inevitably be an iterative process. A fuller understanding of the true cost of healthcare, facilitates service development and planning, both at a local and national level.
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Multicenter Study
Epidemiology and outcome analysis of facial burns: A retrospective multicentre study 2011-2015.
The head and neck regions are frequent sites of burns, but few studies have analysed and reported the epidemiology of facial burns. As the face is the centre of one's identity and persona, facial injuries often result in physical and psychological morbidity. The aim of this article is to describe the epidemiology and outcome of facial burns in China and to suggest future preventive strategies. ⋯ Facial burns benefit not only the healing of wound, but also the prevention of their incidence and PTSD symptom. This study may contribute to the elaboration of strategies to prevent facial burns and the establishment of a nationwide burn database in China.
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Hypoalbuminemia is a frequent condition in the first 24 h after a severe burn injury and is associated with worse outcomes. ⋯ In severely burned patients receiving early albumin supply, early hypoalbuminemia is associated with higher mortality whereas later albuminemia (≥6 h) is not. Exploration of whether early albumin infusion (8-12 h post injury) may alter clinical outcome is warranted.