Burns : journal of the International Society for Burn Injuries
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Burn patients are an especially high-risk population for development of central line associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) due to open wounds, extended length of intensive care unit stay, frequent use of central venous catheters, and generally immunocompromised state. Implementing evidence-based practices to prevent these infections is a 2014 National Patient Safety Goal per The Joint Commission. ⋯ Introduction of an alcohol impregnated central venous line port protector can reduce the incidence of CLABSI in a burn unit.
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To compare patient and burn characteristics between patients who had a pre-existing psychiatric diagnosis and patients who did not in a Burn Unit at an academic hospital. ⋯ Presence of a pre-existing psychiatric disorder in the burn patient was associated with worse outcomes and was a significant predictor of death. Psychiatric diagnoses should be identified early in burn treatment and efforts should be made to ensure a comprehensive approach to inpatient support and patient discharge to reduce unfavorable burn outcomes and placement issues.
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Among service members injured in Iraq and Afghanistan, to determine the risk of mortality associated with combat-related burns to the genitalia, perineum, and buttocks. ⋯ Among those with relatively survivable combat-related burns (<60% TBSA), genital/perineal/buttock involvement increases the risk of death. Bacteremia may account for part of this increased risk, but does not fully explain the independent risk associated with perineal burns.