The Journal of burn care & rehabilitation
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Methamphetamine production and use has increased dramatically during the past 10 years. Methamphetamine production requires combining hazardous and volatile chemicals that expose the manufacturer to burn injuries from explosions and chemical spills. We sought to review the epidemiology of burn injuries in a rural burn center secondary to the use of amphetamine or methamphetamine and/or the manufacture of methamphetamine. ⋯ The mean cost per person was US 77,580 dollars (range, US 112 dollars - US 426,386 dollars). The increasing use of and manufacture of methamphetamine presents new challenges for the burn team because these patients can become violent and frequently need assistance with detoxification. Routine drug screens are mandatory in identifying methamphetamine use to alert burn unit personnel to particular management problems and target individuals who may be receptive to drug rehabilitation.
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Scald burns continue to be the major cause of injury to patients admitted to the burn center. Scald burns occurring from car radiator fluid comprise a significant subgroup. Although manufacturer warning labels have been placed on car radiators, these burns continue to occur. ⋯ The current radiator warning labels alone are not effective. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has proposed a new federal motor vehicle safety standard to aid in decreasing the number of scald burns from car radiators. The results of this study were submitted to the United States Department of Transportation for inclusion in a docket for federal legislation supporting these safety measures.
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Scald injuries in children often occur as the result of them pulling a container of hot liquid off a countertop or stove. To date, there have been no studies that have specifically examined the impact of the burning agent after this mechanism of injury on the magnitude of injury or the hospital resources consumed in caring for these patients. In this study, we sought to compare the extent and depth of injury, hospital resources consumed, and outcomes of children burned by pulling a container of grease or other liquid onto themselves. ⋯ Mean length of stay was 16.8 +/- 2.5 days and 9.1 +/- 1.0 days for the grease and nongrease groups, respectively (P <.001). Scalds caused by children pulling a grease fryer onto themselves result in more extensive and deeper injuries and greater consumption of hospital resources than those from other liquids. These findings support the need for safer product design and more specific warnings in product labeling and instructions as to the danger of severe scald injury to minimize the occurrence of such injuries.
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A large number of burns are sustained every year as the result of kitchen grease. A review of a 13-month period at the Joseph M. Still Burn Center in Augusta, Georgia, revealed 60 cases (9.4% of acute burn admissions). ⋯ Spilling grease on children in the kitchen was a frequent problem. Burns due to ignition of grease was also a cause of injury. Most of the injuries were potentially preventable, and therefore the importance of burn appropriate safety programs is stressed.
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J Burn Care Rehabil · Jul 2004
Buses as fire hazards: a Swedish problem only? Suggestions for fire-prevention measures.
In Sweden, approximately 6% of all human transportation is made via buses. The Swedish Board of Accident Investigation and the Swedish Rescue Services Agency have pointed out repeatedly that buses are potential fire and burn hazards, not only when involved in collisions but also in other circumstances. ⋯ We did not find any casualties, but the results of our study suggest that casualties as a result of bus fires are imminent unless preventive measures are taken. We also studied experiences from previous bus fires and suggest preventive measures.