International society for burn injuries survey: infection and infectious complications in worldwide burn units

Abstract

Infection with drug resistant pathogens remains a significant problem in the treatment of burn patients on a worldwide basis. The development of progressively drug resistant microbes has limited the available treatment options in burn patients with serious infections. Further, there are increasing reports of infections due to previously rare organisms, which often present as highly resistant to currently available antimicrobial agents. The number of surviving critically injured burn patients has increased due to advances in critical care, early operative intervention, improved wound care and antibiotics both systemically and topically. Such patients have a long hospital length of stay and are at increased risk of major infectious complications from multi-drug resistant organisms. In an attempt to better understand this problem from a global perspective the International Society for Burn Injuries through its Research Committee is conducting a worldwide survey of its membership and member burn units. The attached survey should allow a more precise assessment of the problem, trends in types of infections and organisms responsible. Additionally, information about newer treatment