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Liu T, Qu Y, Chai J, Liu X, Hu F, Zhang D, Duan H, Chi Y. Epidemiology and first aid measures in pediatric burn patients in northern China during 2016-2020: A single-center retrospective study. Health Sci Rep 2024; 7:e2218. [PMID: 39072351 PMCID: PMC11273291 DOI: 10.1002/hsr2.2218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 06/02/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Background and Aims Burn and scald injuries are the fourth most common type of trauma. Pediatric burns account for a high proportion of the total number of burn patients and impose a high burden on public health. Understanding the epidemiology of pediatric burns can help improve science education and reduce the incidence of burn injuries. Methods This study is a single-center retrospective study. One thousand five hundred and twenty-seven pediatric burn patients admitted to our burn center from January 2016 to December 2020 were included. Demographic and epidemiological data of included patients were extracted and analyzed. The correlations of categorical data were tested by the Chi-square tests, and differences of continuous data were tested by the Kruskal-Wallis tests. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Results The results showed that children under 3 years of age were most susceptible to burn and scald injuries. Burn injuries were most likely to occur in the season of winter and at the place of home. 56.6% of included patients did receive first aid measures, while 1.8% received gold-standard first aid. Clinical variables related to the severity of injuries were statistically different between patients with and without cooling measures in first aid. Linear regression models showed that emergency treatment of burns in children and adolescents was associated with outcome indicators, including number of operations, total operation duration per total burn surface area (TBSA), cost per TBSA, and length of stay per TBSA. Conclusions This study summarized the epidemiology and outcomes of pediatric burn patients admitted to a burn center in northern China. Adopting cooling measures in first aid can reduce the severity of injuries and reduce the burden on the medical system. Education on burn prevention and first aid measures to caregivers of children, especially preschool children, should be strengthened.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tian Liu
- Senior Department of Burns & Plastic SurgeryThe Fourth Medical Center of PLA General HospitalBeijingChina
- Department of Burn and Plastic SurgeryGeneral Hospital of Southern Theater Command, PLAGuangzhouChina
| | - Yirui Qu
- Chinese PLA General Hospital & Chinese PLA Medical SchoolBeijingChina
| | - Jiake Chai
- Senior Department of Burns & Plastic SurgeryThe Fourth Medical Center of PLA General HospitalBeijingChina
| | - Xiangyu Liu
- Chinese PLA General Hospital & Chinese PLA Medical SchoolBeijingChina
| | - Fangchao Hu
- Chinese PLA General Hospital & Chinese PLA Medical SchoolBeijingChina
| | - Dongliang Zhang
- Department of Burns and Cutaneous Surgery, Xijing HospitalFourth Military Medical UniversityXi'anChina
| | - Hongjie Duan
- Senior Department of Burns & Plastic SurgeryThe Fourth Medical Center of PLA General HospitalBeijingChina
| | - Yunfei Chi
- Senior Department of Burns & Plastic SurgeryThe Fourth Medical Center of PLA General HospitalBeijingChina
- Chinese PLA General Hospital & Chinese PLA Medical SchoolBeijingChina
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2
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Baldwin AJ. An artificial intelligence language model improves readability of burns first aid information. Burns 2024; 50:1122-1127. [PMID: 38492982 DOI: 10.1016/j.burns.2024.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024]
Abstract
AIMS This study aimed to assess the potential of using an artificial intelligence (AI) large language model to improve the readability of burns first aid information. METHODS An AI language model (ChatGPT-3) was used to rewrite content from the top 50 English-language webpages containing burns first aid information to be understandable by an individual with the literacy level of an 11-year-old, as recommended by the American Medical Association and Health Education England. The assessment of readability was conducted using five validated tools. RESULTS In their original form, only 4% of the patient education materials (PEMs) met the target readability level across all tools. The median grade was 6.9 (SD=1.1). One-sample one-tailed t-test revealed that this was not significantly below the target (p = .31). After AI-modification, 18% of PEMs reached the target level using all tools, with a median grade of 6 (SD=0.9), which was significantly below the target level (p < .001). Once rewritten using AI, paired t-test demonstrated that all readability scores improved significantly (p < .001). CONCLUSION Utilising an AI language model proved an effective and viable method for enhancing readability of burns first aid information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander J Baldwin
- Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery, Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust, Buckinghamshire, UK.
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3
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Holbert MD, Kimble RM, Watt K, Griffin BR. Barriers and facilitators to burn first aid practice in the prehospital setting: A qualitative investigation amongst emergency medical service clinicians. Burns 2024; 50:674-684. [PMID: 38065804 DOI: 10.1016/j.burns.2023.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Revised: 10/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2024]
Abstract
First aid cooling for burn injuries improves re-epithelialisation rates and reduces scarring. The objective of this research was to explore and describe barriers and facilitators to the provision of optimal first aid for acute burn patients in the prehospital setting. Emergency medical service (EMS) clinicians in Queensland were invited via email to participate in a survey designed to assess experience, knowledge, and attitudes regarding provision of optimal burn first aid in the prehospital setting (N = 4500). Barriers and facilitators to administering optimal first aid in the prehospital environment were assessed via two open-ended questions with free-text response boxes. An inductive approach to qualitative content analysis was used to analyze free-text data. In total, we included 326 respondents (7.2% response rate). Responses (n = 231) regarding barriers to first aid were classified into 12 categories, within five overarching dimensions. The most common of these was identified as pain. Similarly, free text responses (n = 276) regarding facilitators of burn first aid formed eight dimensions with 21 subcategories - most commonly fast and effective pain relief. Factors influencing burn first aid provision in the prehospital setting were wide-ranging and varied, with pain identified as the most prominent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maleea D Holbert
- Centre for Children's Burns and Trauma Research, Centre for Children's Health Research, South Brisbane 4101, Queensland, Australia; Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane 4067, Queensland, Australia; Faculty of Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Griffith University, Brisbane 4111, Queensland, Australia.
| | - Roy M Kimble
- Centre for Children's Burns and Trauma Research, Centre for Children's Health Research, South Brisbane 4101, Queensland, Australia; Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane 4067, Queensland, Australia; Pegg Leditschke Children's Burns Centre, Queensland Children's Hospital, South Brisbane 4101, Queensland, Australia
| | - Kerrianne Watt
- Information Support, Research & Evaluation, Office of the Medical Director, Queensland Ambulance Service, Kedron 4031, Queensland, Australia; College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville 4810 Queensland, Australia
| | - Bronwyn R Griffin
- Centre for Children's Burns and Trauma Research, Centre for Children's Health Research, South Brisbane 4101, Queensland, Australia; Faculty of Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Griffith University, Brisbane 4111, Queensland, Australia; Pegg Leditschke Children's Burns Centre, Queensland Children's Hospital, South Brisbane 4101, Queensland, Australia
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4
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Ji S, Xiao S, Xia Z. Consensus on the treatment of second-degree burn wounds (2024 edition). BURNS & TRAUMA 2024; 12:tkad061. [PMID: 38343901 PMCID: PMC10858447 DOI: 10.1093/burnst/tkad061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/21/2024]
Abstract
Second-degree burns are the most common type of burn in clinical practice and hard to manage. Their treatment requires not only a consideration of the different outcomes that may arise from the dressing changes or surgical therapies themselves but also an evaluation of factors such as the burn site, patient age and burn area. Meanwhile, special attention should be given to the fact that there is no unified standard or specification for the diagnosis, classification, surgical procedure, and infection diagnosis and grading of second-degree burn wounds. This not only poses great challenges to the formulation of clinical treatment plans but also significantly affects the consistency of clinical studies. Moreover, currently, there are relatively few guidelines or expert consensus for the management of second-degree burn wounds, and no comprehensive and systematic guidelines or specifications for the treatment of second-degree burns have been formed. Therefore, we developed the Consensus on the Treatment of Second-Degree Burn Wounds (2024 edition), based on evidence-based medicine and expert opinion. This consensus provides specific recommendations on prehospital first aid, nonsurgical treatment, surgical treatment and infection treatment for second-degree burns. The current consensus generated a total of 58 recommendations, aiming to form a standardized clinical treatment plan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shizhao Ji
- Correspondence: Shizhao Ji, ; Shichu Xiao, ; Zhaofan Xia,
| | - Shichu Xiao
- Correspondence: Shizhao Ji, ; Shichu Xiao, ; Zhaofan Xia,
| | - Zhaofan Xia
- Correspondence: Shizhao Ji, ; Shichu Xiao, ; Zhaofan Xia,
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Palmieri TL. Acute care for burn patients: fluids, surgery, and what else? Curr Opin Crit Care 2023; 29:696-701. [PMID: 37861199 DOI: 10.1097/mcc.0000000000001096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Recently published initiatives spanning the burn care spectrum have substantially changed the standard of care in burn care. The purpose of this article is to describe new impactful concepts in burn first aid, triage, resuscitation, and treatment as well as their impact on future research. RECENT FINDINGS First aid after burn injury traditionally consists of extinguishing the burn and applying dressings. Recent evidence suggests that applying 20 min of cool tap water to the burn wound in the first 3 h postburn mitigates burn injury extent. National burn center transfer criteria have been updated, impacting patient initial transfer and management. The adverse effects of hydroxocobalamin, a commonly used antidote for cyanide toxicity, have been delineated. Initial burn resuscitation recommendations for both volume and potentially fluid type are being reexamined. The emergence of innovative skin substitutes may improve burn survival by providing a physiologically stabilizing intermediate dressing. Finally, formal clinical practice guidelines for early mobility in the ICU after burn injury have been defined. SUMMARY These changes in burn care, triage, resuscitation, and treatment have challenged traditional burn care standards, created new standards, and are the basis for future prospective randomized trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tina L Palmieri
- Shriners Children's Northern California, University of California Davis, Sacramento, California, USA
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Baldwin AJ. Readability, accountability, and quality of burns first aid information available online. Burns 2023; 49:1823-1832. [PMID: 37821277 DOI: 10.1016/j.burns.2023.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Revised: 02/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023]
Abstract
AIM To assess the readability, accountability, and quality of burns first aid information available online. METHODS The top 50 English language webpages containing burns first aid information were compiled and categorised. Readability was measured using five validated tools. Accountability was assessed using the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) benchmarks. Quality was evaluated using a scale based on previous literature. RESULTS Two (4%) webpages were judged to be at the target reading level using all tools. Median grade ranged from 4.6 to 9.6 (M = 6.9, SD = 1.1). One-sample one-tailed t-test determined that median grade was not significantly below the target grade of ≤ 6.9 (p = 0.314). Only seven (14%) webpages satisfied all the JAMA accountability benchmarks. No webpages fulfilled all 15 quality criteria. Mean quality score was 9.8 (SD = 2.4). Only 27 (54%) advised 20 min of cooling. One-way analysis of variance demonstrated that accountability was influenced by source (p = 0.01). Pearson's correlation coefficient revealed that accountability and quality had a positive correlation (r = 0.32, p = 0.02). CONCLUSION Much of the burns first aid information available online is written above the recommended reading level and fails to meet standards of accountability or quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander J Baldwin
- Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery, Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust, Buckinghamshire, UK.
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Griffin B, Cabilan C, Ayoub B, Xu H(G, Palmieri T, Kimble R, Singer Y. The effect of 20 minutes of cool running water first aid within three hours of thermal burn injury on patient outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Australas Emerg Care 2022; 25:367-376. [DOI: 10.1016/j.auec.2022.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Revised: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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8
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Cuttle L, Fear M, Wood FM, Kimble RM, Holland AJA. Management of non-severe burn wounds in children and adolescents: optimising outcomes through all stages of the patient journey. THE LANCET. CHILD & ADOLESCENT HEALTH 2022; 6:269-278. [PMID: 35051408 DOI: 10.1016/s2352-4642(21)00350-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Revised: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Paediatric burn injuries are common, especially in children younger than 5 years, and can lead to poor physical and psychosocial outcomes in the long term. In this Review, we aim to summarise the key factors and interventions before hospital admission and following discharge that can improve the long-term outcomes of paediatric burns. Care can be optimised through first aid treatment, correct initial assessment of burn severity, and appropriate patient referral to a burns centre. Scar prevention or treatment and patient follow-up after discharge are also essential. As most burn injuries in children are comparatively small and readily survivable, this Review does not cover the perioperative management associated with severe burns that require fluid resuscitation, or inhalational injury. Burns disproportionately affect children from low socioeconomic backgrounds and those living in low-income and middle-income countries, with ample evidence to suggest that there remains scope for low-cost interventions to improve care for those patients with the greatest burden of burn injury. Current knowledge gaps and future research directions are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leila Cuttle
- Centre for Children's Health Research, Faculty of Health, School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
| | - Mark Fear
- Burn Injury Research Unit, School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Fiona M Wood
- Burn Injury Research Unit, School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia; Burns Service of Western Australia, Perth Children's Hospital and Fiona Stanley Hospital, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Roy M Kimble
- Centre for Children's Burns and Trauma Research, The University of Queensland, South Brisbane, QLD, Australia; Queensland Children's Hospital, South Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Andrew J A Holland
- The Children's Hospital Burns Research Institute, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, The University of Sydney, NSW, Westmead, Australia
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9
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Djärv T, Douma M, Palmieri T, Meyran D, Berry D, Kloeck D, Bendall J, Morrison LJ, Singletary EM, Zideman D. Duration of cooling with water for thermal burns as a first aid intervention: A systematic review. Burns 2022; 48:251-262. [PMID: 34916091 DOI: 10.1016/j.burns.2021.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Revised: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cooling thermal burns with running water is a recommended first aid intervention. However, guidance on the ideal duration of cooling remains controversial and inconsistent across organisations. AIM To perform a systematic review of the evidence for the question; Among adults and children with thermal burn, does active cooling using running water as an immediate first aid intervention for 20 min or more, compared with active cooling using running water for any other duration, change the outcomes of burn size, burn depth, pain, adverse outcome (hypothermia) or complications? METHOD We searched Medline, Embase, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews and used ROBINS-I to assess for risk of bias. We used Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation methodology for determining the certainty of evidence. We included all studies that compared the selected outcomes of the duration of cooling of thermal burns with water in all patient ages. (PROSPERO registration number: CRD42021180665). From 560 screened references, we included four observational studies. In these studies, 48% of burns were cooled for 20 min or more. We found no benefit for a duration of 20 min or more of cooling when compared with less than 20 min of cooling for the outcomes of size and depth of burn, re-epithelialization, or skin grafting. The evidence is of very low certainty owing to limitations in study design, risk of bias and indirectness. CONCLUSION The optimal duration of cooling for thermal burns remains unknown and future prospective research is indicated to better define this treatment recommendation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Therese Djärv
- Department of Medicine Solna, Karolinska Institute and Division of Acute and Reparative Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Sweden.
| | - Matthew Douma
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Canada.
| | - Tina Palmieri
- Burn Division, University of California Davis and Shriners Hospital for Children Northern California, Sacramento, CA, USA.
| | - Daniel Meyran
- Bataillon de Marins Pompiers de Marseille, French Red Cross, France.
| | - David Berry
- Department of Kinesiology, Saginaw Valley State University, University Center, MI, USA.
| | - David Kloeck
- Department of Critical Care, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
| | - Jason Bendall
- Department of Rural Health, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia.
| | - Laurie J Morrison
- Emergency Department, St Michael´s Hospital, Division of Emergency Medicine, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Eunice M Singletary
- University of Virginia, Department of Emergency Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA.
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10
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Henry SM, Stanfield MM. U.S. Navy Aeromedical Missions from 20162019 with a Focus on En Route Care Provider Type. Aerosp Med Hum Perform 2021; 92:873-879. [PMID: 34819213 DOI: 10.3357/amhp.5852.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND: En route care (ERC) is a military aeromedical mission designed to transport a patient to a higher level of care. With the exception of one manual, there are no other formal Navy ERC guidelines, leaving the service to provide such missions ad hoc. Based on the authors review of available literature, it seems no prior research has been done on Navy rescue swimmers performing ERC, though many search and rescue (SAR) missions take place without designated medical personnel. This study specifically examines the type of provider involved in Navy ERC missions and the types of cases involved with the purpose of influencing Navy policy.METHODS: A cross-sectional study examining 829 air evacuations performed by Navy SAR flight crews from 2016 to 2019 was analyzed.RESULTS: Of 829 cases reviewed, patients were more likely to be active-duty personnel (51%) than civilian (47%), and there were 2.5 times more male than female patients. There were more trauma (54%) than medical (43%) patients, with Basic Life Support (BLS) level care (60%) delivered twice as often as Advanced Life Support (ALS) (28%). Search and Rescue Medical Technicians (SMTs) and rescue swimmers provided 83% of ERC, with rescue swimmers supporting 33% of all ERC missions alone.DISCUSSION: The results of this study are in contrast to previous ERC studies, in which rescue swimmer-only transports were excluded from the data. The results raise the question, do rescue swimmers need to be trained to a higher level of care?Henry SM, Stanfield MM. U.S. Navy aeromedical missions from 20162019 with a focus on en route care provider type. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2021; 92(11):873-879.
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11
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Prolonged cooling of burn wounds leads to significant tissue survival. Burns 2021; 47:1937-1938. [PMID: 34649748 DOI: 10.1016/j.burns.2021.07.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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12
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Gong J, Tracy LM, Edgar DW, Wood FM, Singer Y, Gabbe BJ. Poorer first aid after burn is associated with remoteness in Australia: Where to from here? Aust J Rural Health 2021; 29:521-529. [PMID: 34423511 DOI: 10.1111/ajr.12752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Revised: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Early intervention with appropriate first aid following burn injury improves clinical outcomes. Previous evidence suggests geographic remoteness may be a barrier to receiving appropriate burns first aid. This study investigated the prevalence of gold standard first aid in patients managed in Australian burn services and whether geographic remoteness was associated with receiving gold standard first aid. DESIGN Registry-based cohort study. SETTING Binational clinical quality registry. PARTICIPANTS Burn-injured patients admitted to a specialist Australian burn service. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Receiving gold standard first aid following a burn injury. RESULTS Approximately two-thirds of patients received gold standard first aid. Patients whose burns were sustained in very remote regions had a greater risk of receiving no first aid, compared to gold standard first aid, relative to patients who sustained their burn injuries in major cities. CONCLUSIONS Nearly two-thirds of patients received gold standard burns first aid following injury. However, patients who were injured in the most remote regions of Australia were at an increased risk of not receiving gold standard first aid treatment within 3 hours of injury. Further examination of factors contributing to poorer first aid standards in remote areas is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Gong
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
| | - Lincoln M Tracy
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
| | - Dale W Edgar
- State Adult Burn Unit, Fiona Stanley Hospital, Murdoch, WA, Australia.,Burn Injury Research Node, The University of Notre Dame, Fremantle, WA, Australia.,Burn Injury Research Unit, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Fiona M Wood
- State Adult Burn Unit, Fiona Stanley Hospital, Murdoch, WA, Australia.,Burn Injury Research Unit, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Yvonne Singer
- Victorian Adult Burns Service, The Alfred Hospital, Commercial Road, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
| | - Belinda J Gabbe
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.,Heath Data Research UK, Swansea University Medical School, Swansea University, Swansea, UK
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13
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McLure M, Macneil F, Wood FM, Cuttle L, Eastwood K, Bray J, Tracy LM. A Rapid Review of Burns First Aid Guidelines: Is There Consistency Across International Guidelines? Cureus 2021; 13:e15779. [PMID: 34295589 PMCID: PMC8291991 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.15779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
We conducted a rapid review of current international and Australian/New Zealand guidelines on first aid for burns to identify any critical variation and any recent major changes in the literature that would warrant a significant change to current recommendations. A search was conducted to identify Australian/New Zealand and international first aid guidelines for burn care using guideline databases, and we compared key recommendations from each guideline relating to burns first aid. A literature search of relevant databases (Medline, Embase, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, PROSPERO international register of systematic reviews, and ClinicalTrials.gov databases) was conducted to identify existing and in-progress research published on the topic of first aid for burn injuries. Seven guidelines were identified from the Australia/New Zealand region, and 11 international guidelines were identified from the United States of America and Europe. All Australian and New Zealand guidelines recommended a cooling duration of 20 minutes and made some mention of when to refer a burn for medical evaluation, while international guidelines saw cooling duration variation, a number of guidelines failed to mention referral criteria. The review of published systematic reviews and clinical trials revealed a lack of new evidence in the last six years. Our rapid review identified key variation between first aid guidelines for burns that would benefit from the development of an international consensus on management. We identified no new significant evidence that would alter guideline recommendations and did not identify any upcoming reviews or clinical trials on this subject.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael McLure
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, AUS
| | - Finlay Macneil
- Department of Urology, Gosford District Hospital and Gosford Private Hospital, Gosford, AUS
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, AUS
| | - Fiona M Wood
- State Adult Burn Unit, Fiona Stanley Hospital, Murdoch, AUS
- Burn Injury Research Unit, University of Western Australia, Perth, AUS
| | - Leila Cuttle
- School of Biomedical Science, Queensland University of Technology, South Brisbane, AUS
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, South Brisbane, AUS
- Children's Health Research Centre, Queensland University of Technology, South Brisbane, AUS
| | - Kathryn Eastwood
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, AUS
| | - Janet Bray
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, AUS
- Prehospital, Resuscitation and Emergency Care Research Unit, Curtin University, Bentley, AUS
| | - Lincoln M Tracy
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, AUS
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Kawalec A, Pawlas K. The impact of burn wound cooling on chosen parameters of burns in children. Burns 2021; 47:1222-1223. [PMID: 34045115 DOI: 10.1016/j.burns.2020.01.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2019] [Accepted: 01/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- A Kawalec
- Department of Hygiene, Wroclaw Medical University, Mikulicza-Radeckiego 7, Wroclaw, Poland.
| | - K Pawlas
- Department of Hygiene, Wroclaw Medical University, Mikulicza-Radeckiego 7, Wroclaw, Poland
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15
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Goodwin NS. Burn first aid issues again-"Not seeing the forest for the trees". Burns 2021; 47:970-972. [PMID: 33531185 PMCID: PMC7813503 DOI: 10.1016/j.burns.2020.12.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2020] [Accepted: 12/31/2020] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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16
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Ashman H, Rigg D, Moore F. The assessment and management of thermal burn injuries in a UK ambulance service: a clinical audit. Br Paramed J 2020; 5:52-58. [PMID: 33456397 PMCID: PMC7783961 DOI: 10.29045/14784726.2020.12.5.3.52] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Although burn emergencies are infrequently encountered, the ambulance service is often the first point of contact for patients in these situations. It is therefore important that these potentially devastating injuries are managed in accordance with the evidence base. Appropriate assessment and management of these patients in the pre-hospital phase will have a significant impact upon their long-term outcomes, such as scarring cosmesis and functionality. Aim and objectives: This audit was conducted to determine if patients presenting to one UK ambulance service with thermal burn injuries were managed safely, effectively and in a timely manner. Areas highlighted for improvement will assist in directing future pre-hospital research and educational requirements. Epidemiological data will also be provided. Results: 278 thermal burn incidents occurring from June 2017 to May 2018 (inclusive) were included in this audit. A larger proportion of burn patients were paediatrics who fell into the 0–10 age category, most burn patients were injured at a home address and only nine of the overall sample were major burns. Only 35% of patients received adequate cooling of their burns, an essential first aid intervention. The assessment of pain (87%) and provision of analgesia (75%) showed a higher compliance rate. However, only 54% had pain reassessed after analgesia. There was a near 100% compliance rate for patients being managed without hydrogel dressings and topical medicines. Conclusion: The results indicate several areas for improvement within the ambulance trust. Of importance is the application of basic first aid, such as cooling. It is important not only to improve education among staff but also to understand non-compliance. It should be acknowledged that assessment of pain and provision of analgesia demonstrated far higher compliance compared to current pre-hospital evidence. Several points for education and research have been identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harriet Ashman
- South East Coast Ambulance Service ORCID iD: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0628-5492
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Frear CC, Griffin B, Kimble R. Adequacy of cool running water first aid by healthcare professionals in the treatment of paediatric burns: A cross-sectional study of 4537 children. Emerg Med Australas 2020; 33:615-622. [PMID: 33191592 PMCID: PMC9292905 DOI: 10.1111/1742-6723.13686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2020] [Revised: 10/23/2020] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Objective To determine the adequacy of cool running water first aid provided by healthcare professionals in the early management of children with thermal burn injuries. Methods A cross‐sectional study was undertaken using a prospectively collected registry of children who presented with a thermal burn to the only major paediatric burns centre in Queensland, Australia, from January 2013 to December 2018. Main outcome measures included the type and duration of first aid administered by paramedics, general practitioners and emergency providers at local general hospitals and a children's hospital. In accordance with current Australian guidelines, adequate cooling was defined as 20 min of cool running water within 3 h of the injury. Results Of the 4537 children who presented to the paediatric burns centre, 3261 (71.9%) received adequate first aid, including 1502 (33.1%) at the scene of injury. Paramedics and general practitioners administered adequate cooling to 184 (25.0%) and 52 (24.2%) of their patients, respectively. ED clinicians adhered to guidelines in the treatment of 1019 (56.3%) children at general hospitals and 411 (76.0%) at the children's hospital. Among ED patients who presented with incomplete prior first aid, the risk of inadequate cooling was significantly greater for those transported via ambulance (P < 0.001). Conclusion Deficiencies remain in the cooling of paediatric burns patients at all levels of initial management. There is a need in the healthcare community for improved education regarding the parameters and clinical benefits of cool running water first aid.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cody C Frear
- Centre for Children's Burns and Trauma Research, Centre for Children's Health Research, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.,Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Bronwyn Griffin
- Centre for Children's Burns and Trauma Research, Centre for Children's Health Research, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.,School of Nursing, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Roy Kimble
- Centre for Children's Burns and Trauma Research, Centre for Children's Health Research, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.,Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.,Department of Paediatric Surgery, Urology, Burns and Trauma, Queensland Children's Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
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