Burns : journal of the International Society for Burn Injuries
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International burn societies in many parts of the world have created electronic registries of burn centers in their region. No such directory exists for the continent of Africa. ⋯ This is the first known online directory of burn sites in Africa. Significant challenges exist identifying burn care providers in large portions of the continent.
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Comparative Study
Comparison of efficacy of silver-nanoparticle gel, nano-silver-foam and collagen dressings in treatment of partial thickness burn wounds.
This study was carried out to compare the efficacy of silver nanoparticle gel (SG), nanosilver foam (SF) and collagen (C) dressings in partial thickness burn wounds. ⋯ Nanosilver-foam dressings were found to be more efficacious for re-epithelialization, healing, ease of application, tolerance when compared to silver nanoparticle gel and collagen dressings in partial-thickness burns. All were found to be safe.
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Animal studies indicate treating burn injuries with running water (first aid) for 20 min up to 3 h after burn reduces healing time and scarring. We have previously demonstrated the benefits of first aid in minor burn injuries with respect to a reduction in wound depth, faster healing, and decreased skin grafting utilisation. The purpose of this cohort study was to assess the effect of first aid on clinical outcomes in large body surface area burn injuries (≥20%). ⋯ Adequate first aid with 20 min of running water is associated with improved outcomes in large burn injuries. Significant benefits are seen in a reduction in TBSA, proportion of the burn wound that is full thickness, as well as decreased re-grafting. This has significant patient and health system benefits and adds to the body of evidence supporting 20 min of cooling in burns care.
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Burn trauma-related hypothermia is a frequent observation but risk factors and impact on patient related outcome are ambiguously reported. It is expected that hypothermia is associated with increased mortality and reduced overall outcome in severely burned patients, but available evidence is limited. ⋯ Incidental hypothermia of burned patients is associated with an increased mortality and needs to be addressed by emergency health care providers and immediately at the burn center. Especially patients with extensive burns, full-thickness burns, inhalation injury or patients undergoing preclinical intubation are at risk for hypothermia and benefit from any measures for temperature preserving.
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Opioid overuse is a growing patient safety issue but continue to be integral to burn pain management. This study aims to characterize opioid use in discharged patients and factors for predictive of long term use. ⋯ Whereas opioids are widely prescribed upon discharge, most patients no longer use them 30 days later. Higher opiate utilization at discharge increases risk of long term use, as does pre-injury drug and alcohol use, but only temporarily.