Burns : journal of the International Society for Burn Injuries
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Depression has been associated with poorer postburn functional outcomes. However, whether or not certain burn specific coping strategies moderate the relationships remains unknown. Burn survivors from 2015 Formosa Fun Coast Water Park explosion were recruited in a 3-year follow-up study. ⋯ Depression was significantly and negatively correlated with quality of life at low and medium levels of optimism/problem solving but not high. Our study provided evidence supporting early identification and intervention of depression in burn survivors to optimize functional outcomes. Such knowledge may provide insights into potential targets in rehabilitation in depressed burn survivors.
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Quick, easy access to data-driven community risk assessment principles and to related community risk reduction activities can encourage fire departments to learn about, conduct, and complete district risk reduction practices. With the ultimate goal of creating web-based community risk assessment and community risk reduction resources, we first evaluated fire department needs. ⋯ Respondents described data use for community risk assessment and for planning community risk reduction activities; how a lack of time, personnel, and funding impacts community risk assessment and community risk reduction activities; and how to involve both firefighters and the community in the process. Innovative solutions such as a website containing resources on how to assess community risk information along with resources such as community risk assessment/ reduction education, program planning, and tools, can assist departments to use community risk assessment data in the development of community risk reduction activities.
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Burn patients receiving split thickness skin grafting are left with scarring and chronically dysfunctional grafted skin. Given evidence that patients' preoperative expectations mediate postoperative outcomes and satisfaction, we described burn patients' experience, expectations, and satisfaction with their skin graft, their views towards a cell based clinical trial to improve their graft and identified graft outcome measures for use in future studies. ⋯ Outcome measures in trials advancing skin grafting should reflect chronic, patient prioritized limitations. We recommend preoperative educational interventions for burn patients receiving grafting to improve postoperative satisfaction.
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Blood transfusions are essential to treating anaemia of burn injuries. It has recently been observed that patients with non-major burns < 20%TBSA may also develop anaemia requiring transfusion of blood products. Due to the morbidity and mortality rate associated with blood transfusions better understanding of risk factors may guide clinical practices to improve patient care. ⋯ Patient related comorbidities correlate with higher transfusion rates in non-major burn injuries. Due to the risk associated with the use of blood products decision to transfuse should adhere to current guideline practices and be tailored to specific patient requirements.
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In lieu of limited studies on the timing of burn wound eschar excision for burns, a more comprehensive analysis is indicated to determine the effects of early wound excision following burns. This study aims to address the outcomes of early wound excision in burn patients. ⋯ Burn wound excision within 3 days of injury is beneficial when comparing to later treatment between 4 and 14 days, which results in a significantly lowered risk of mortality and infection in burn patient.