Major Burn Center Research Articles

Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of severe burns in adults: A retrospective study at a burn centre in Suzhou, China.

Severe burns lead to malformations and higher mortality and have long-term social consequences. We aimed to analyse the epidemiologic characteristics and clinical outcomes of severe burn patients hospitalized in a major burn centre in Eastern China. This study included severe burns patients hospitalized in our hospital from 2017 to 2022. We extracted all data from electronic medical records for retrospective analysis. Burn scoring systems were calculated for all patients. The median age of the patients was 49.00 years, with 62.13% of them aged between 30 and 59 years. Of the 375 adult patients, 256 were male and 119 were female. The major cause of burns was flame (46.1%), followed by explosion (35.2%). The median total body surface area was 40%. Sixty-three percent of patients suffered an inhalation injury and 125 patients (33.3%) developed complications during hospitalization. The average mortality was 5.3%. Higher mortality rates are associated with advanced age, flame burns, larger full-thickness burns area and total body surface area, inhalation injuries and combined burn complications. Severe burns often occur in middle-aged men. Governments and companies need to improve the safety of living and working environments. It is essential to develop treatment strategies based on risk factors for burn deaths and improve the quality of medical care.

Factors associated with delayed admission to the burn unit: A major burn center’s experience

BackgroundTimely admission to the burn unit is crucial. Ideal burn care requires prompt interventions such as wound and body temperature management, infection control, and fluid resuscitation to prevent complications like burn progression and infection. In this study, we identify specific factors and outcomes associated with delayed admission to a regional burn center. MethodsPatients admitted to a large urban burn center from January 2015 to December 2023 were retrospectively queried, with subsequent collection of demographic and outcome variables from chart review. Descriptive statistics, Welch’s t-tests of unequal variances, and Chi-square analysis were performed. Multiple logistic regression was performed to explore the association between delayed admission and ICU stay, ventilator requirements, and mortality. ResultsA total of 3137 patients were included in the study. Approximately 63.4 % of patients were admitted within 24 h, while 36.6 % had a significant delay in care of over 24 h after injury. Male patients were likely to experience delayed admission (39.0 vs. 31.8 %, p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in age between the two cohorts (38.6 vs. 39.7 years, p = 0.199). There was no significant difference in time to admission by racial background (p = 0.061). Total body surface area burned (TBSA) varied between the delayed and control cohorts (15.5±18.7 % vs. 8.2±12.9 %, p < 0.001). Patients who were single (p < 0.001) and lived alone (p = 0.011) were more likely to experience a delay in burn unit admission. Homelessness (p < 0.001), substance abuse disorder (p < 0.001), and uninsured status (p < 0.001) were also associated with delayed admission. In regression analysis when controlling for TBSA, delay in care was significantly associated with a greater requirement for ICU stay (p < 0.001) and mechanical ventilation (p = 0.021) but was not associated with increased mortality (p = 0.232). ConclusionSociodemographic variables such as homelessness, lack of social support, and substance abuse are associated with delayed burn unit admission. Knowledge of these factors can inform future interventions to improve outcomes for vulnerable patients, promoting better recovery and long-term outcomes after burn injury.

Epidemiological characteristics and outcomes of special-cause burns: analysis of 33,619 burn patients in a major regional burn center in China from 2004 to 2021

Special-cause burn injuries are usually more severe and difficult to manage, and often contribute to a high mortality in severely injured patients. The aim of this study was to present the epidemiological characteristics of special-cause burn in a major regional burn center in China between 2004 and 2021 and determine the risk factors associated with the mortality of burn patients. A total of 33,619 burn patients were included the study, among which 4,452 (13.2%) were special-cause burn patients. Compared to the thermal burn group, the special-cause burn patients were usually male, elder, married and III-IV degree of burn with onset of upper extremity in summer and autumn. Moreover, a greater proportion of patients in the special-cause burn group underwent surgical treatment and amputation and had a higher median hospital stay and treatment costs. During the multivariate logistic regression, older age, male, unmarried, winter, III-IV degree of burn, ≥ 3 burn sites, and larger total body surface area (TBSA) of burn were significantly associated with higher burn mortality (all P < 0.05), however, patients with special-cause burn injuries have not increased odds for mortality (P > 0.05). These results suggested that special cause-burn patients suffer more severe injuries, resulting in longer hospital stays and higher health care expenditures, but it did not significantly increase the mortality risk. Therefore, burn clinicians should not only have the responsibility to cure burns, but also need to know and popularize burn epidemiological characteristic and precaution.

Clinical characteristics and treatment of Marjolin's ulcer at a major burn center in northwest China: a retrospective review of 126 cases.

Marjolin's ulcer (MU) is a rare, aggressive skin tumor. There are numerous case reports but large long-term studies are lacking, necessitating further exploration of its treatment. This study aimed to summarize and analyze the characteristics, treatment methods, and prognosis of MU. We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 126 patients with MU, treated between January 2013 and January 2023 at the burn center. Demographic data, clinical characteristics, treatment, and prognosis were statistically analyzed. Of the 126 included patients, 104 were followed up for 0.1-10.2 years. The most common cause of the primary injury was flame burn (50.8%). Lesions were commonly observed on the lower limbs (47.6%). The predominant histopathological type was squamous cell carcinoma (92.8%). Among the 126 patients, 35 (27.8%) presented with bone invasion, 37 (29.4%) presented with enlarged lymph nodes, and 9 (7.1%) had lymph node metastasis. Extensive local excision (83.3%) was the most common surgical procedure; the defect was repaired using skin grafting (41.9%), free flaps (37.1%), and local flaps (21.0%). Multivariate analysis revealed that bone invasion and lymph node involvement were risk factors for postoperative recurrence. Survival analysis showed that age, latency period, pathological type, and recurrence were significant risk factors for survival. Extensive local resection is necessary to eradicate tumors, and patient follow-up should be more frequent within 1 year postoperatively. As MU is preventable, it is essential to reach a quick diagnosis and avoid delayed management before the occurrence of deadly metastases.

Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of burns in adults: a 6-year retrospective study in a major burn center in Suzhou, China.

Burns are a prevalent form of unintentional injury and a significant public health concern in developing countries. We aimed to investigate the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of adult burn patients at a major center in Eastern China. This 6-year retrospective study analyzed patients with varying degrees of burns between January 2017 and December 2022 at the Suzhou Burns and Trauma Center. The study extracted demographic, clinical, and epidemiological data from electronic medical records for analysis. The study included 3,258 adult patients, of which 64.3% were male. The largest age group affected 30-59-year-old adults (63.04%). Scalds were the leading cause of burns (1,346, 41.31%), followed by flames (1,271, 39.01%). The majority of burn hospitalizations were those with moderate burns (1791, 54.97%). The morbidity rate was low at 0.68%, while mortality was strongly associated with age, etiology, and total body surface area. Patients with certain types of burns, such as explosions, hot crush injuries, and electric burns had more operations, longer lengths of hospital stay, and higher costs compared to those with scalds and flame injuries. Different prevention strategies should be formulated according to different etiologies, ages, and genders.

Differences in Burn Wound Size Estimation Between Points of Referral and the Burn Unit: Experience at a Major Burn Center in Southwestern Nigeria

Background. Accurate burn wound size estimation is important for resuscitation and subsequent management. It is also important for the development of referral guidelines in Nigeria. Objective. To establish whether a significant discrepancy exists in burn size estimation between referral centers and burn units. Methods. A retrospective review of burn patients managed at the burn unit of a premier tertiary hospital in Ibadan, southwestern Nigeria, between January 1, 2016, and October 31, 2019 was conducted. Patients’ demographic and other characteristics, inclusive of TBSA estimation from point of referral and the burn unit, were retrieved and analyzed. Results. A total of 96 burn injury records were found for the study period, with a male-to-female ratio of 1.3:1. Thirty-five records (36.5%) included no burn size estimation by the referring physician. There was a statistically significant difference in TBSA estimation between referring physicians and burn unit physicians (P = .015). Burn wounds were more likely to be overestimated than underestimated (P = .016). Overestimation is more likely with minor burns and in pediatric patients. Underestimation was more likely in adults. Conclusion. There is a significant difference in burn size estimation between burn unit physicians and referring physicians. This finding underscores the need for continuous education on burn estimation to aid proper referral and management.

Severe thermal burn in Lubumbashi: Descriptive study at the major burn center of the Sendwe Hospital

Severe thermal burn in Lubumbashi: Descriptive study at the major burn center of the Sendwe Hospital

Pain Management during Bromelain-Based Enzymatic Debridement (NexoBrid®) in a USA Adult Burn Center.

Outside the United States, bromelain-based enzymatic debridement (BBED) has become an effective tool for the removal of burn eschar. A primary concern with BBED is that it is a painful procedure requiring appropriate analgesia. The purpose of this study was to describe our experience using NexoBrid® (NXB), with a particular focus on pain management. We performed a retrospective review on all 32 adult burn patients enrolled at our institution as part of a multicenter phase 3 clinical trial (DETECT) or the expanded access treatment protocol (NEXT). All patients underwent BBED with NXB of acute deep partial- and full-thickness thermal burn wounds at a major burn center between November 2016 and February 2023. Thirty-two patients with an average age of 42.1 years (SD = 17.4, range 18-72) and an average TBSA of 6.3% (SD = 5.9, range 1-24.5) underwent a total of 33 BBED procedures. Only one patient required an additional NXB treatment, and all patients achieved >95% eschar removal. For pain control during debridement, seven patients required a local block (LB), nine a regional block (RB), and thirteen conscious sedation (CS). Three patients were intubated (INTB) for their burn injury prior to the procedure. There was no statistical difference in Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) scores during vs. before treatment or after vs. before treatment for all patients or when subdivided by BMI, race, TBSA, total area treated, and anesthetic type (LB, RB, and CS). With appropriate analgesia, the pain associated with BBED of acute deep partial- and full-thickness thermal burns is well tolerated.

The epidemiology of alcohol burns at a major burn centre in North China

This study was designed to explore the epidemiological characteristics and potential preventive strategies of alcohol burns. In this five-year, retrospective study, 163 patients with alcohol burns (admitted from 1 January 2015 to 31 May 2020 were included. There was a male-to-female ratio of 1.1:1, a mean age of 34.1±16.8 years, and a mean burn size of 13.3±13.7% total body surface area (TBSA). The number of patients with alcohol burns was similar year by year during the five-year period. Just over half of patients (n=84, 51.5%) sustained a third-degree burn injury, which was significantly associated with a longer hospital stay and the need for surgery. The most prevalent aetiology was cupping (n=49, 29.5%), followed by cooking hotpot (n=37, 22.7%). Of the patients, seven (4.29%) sustained injuries during experiments at school and one patient sustained injury when using alcohol spray for disinfection against COVID-19. The incidence of facial burn injury (n=105, 64.4%) was significantly higher than previously reported data (33.2%). The result of the study showed that cupping and hotpot were the main causes of alcohol burns in Beijing, which should be taken into consideration for prevention. It is necessary to strengthen safety management of classes at school where experiments are undertaken and to educate the general public on the proper means of disinfecting against COVID-19.

Implementing Nexobrid for Burn Debridement in a Major Italian Burn Center: A Retrospective Review of Patient Outcomes.

This retrospective study examines the implementation of Nexobrid, an enzymatic debriding agent developed from bromelain, for burn debridement in a major Italian burn center. With previous research showing encouraging results for Nexobrid in terms of reducing the need for surgical intervention and faster eschar removal, the current study aims to add to the growing body of evidence regarding its potential benefits and limitations. The patient database was utilized to identify patients who received Nexobrid treatment between October 2019 and June 2023. A retrospective analysis was conducted to gather demographic information, burn causes, procedural details, and patient outcomes. Of the 30 patients treated with Nexobrid, 10% did not require further surgical intervention, showcasing Nexobrid's potential to improve patient outcomes. However, over 80% of patients still required additional surgical intervention, demonstrating that Nexobrid's effectiveness varies across patients and should be considered a tool rather than a definitive solution in burn wound management. A few patients developed complications, and about 10% of patients succumbed to systemic complications. The study results reveal both the potential benefits and limitations of using Nexobrid in burn debridement. While it successfully eliminated the need for further surgical intervention in a small percentage of patients, the majority still required additional surgical procedures. These findings not only highlight Nexobrid's role as a tool in burn wound management but also point toward the discrepancies with previous studies. The authors suggest future research should include randomized controlled trials, direct comparisons between Nexobrid and traditional debridement methods, and studies incorporating larger and more diverse patient groups.

555 Pain Management During Bromelain-Based Enzymatic Debridement in a U.S. Adult Burn Center

Abstract Introduction Outside the United States, bromelain-based enzymatic debridement (BBED) has become an effective tool for removal of burn eschar. BBED can be performed at bedside and allows for complete eschar removal with maximal dermal preservation and markedly reduced blood loss. It may also decrease the need for autografting or the amount of autograft required. A primary concern with BBED is that it is a painful procedure requiring appropriate analgesia. Experience with BBED in the U.S. has been gained through a multicenter phase 3 clinical trial (DETECT) and an expanded access treatment protocol (NEXT). In this retrospective study, we describe our experience using BBED, with particular focus on pain management. Methods A retrospective review was conducted on 29 adult burn patients enrolled in the DETECT or NEXT trials who underwent BBED of acute deep partial- and full-thickness thermal burn wounds at a major burn center between November 2016 and July 2022. Patient demographics and procedural characteristics, including pain management strategies and Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) scores before, during, and after debridement, were analyzed and described. Results Twenty-nine patients with an average age of 41.2 years (SD=17.8, range 18-72) and an average TBSA of 6.3% (SD=5.6, range 1-24.5) underwent a total of 29 BBED. For pain control during debridement, 6 patients required conscious sedation (CS), 7 a regional block (RB), 5 a local block (LB), and 9 only IV and oral (IVPO) medications. Two patients were intubated and sedated prior to the procedure. No patient required additional BBED treatment and all patients achieved &amp;gt;95% eschar removal. The average NPRS pain score 24 hours before treatment, during treatment, and 24 hours after treatment was 4.0, 4.6, &amp; 4.4, respectively (P=0.65). Sixteen patients (55%) healed without the need for autografting. The average number of days from debridement to wound closure for all patients was 34.9 days (SD=11.9) and for patients who underwent autografting was 40.1 days (SD=12.3). Conclusions With appropriate analgesia, it is possible to perform BBED of acute deep partial- and full-thickness thermal burns without significant changes in patient-reported pain scores. Prior to debridement, it is critical to establish procedure logistics and reasonable patient expectations. Applicability of Research to Practice The authors review their experience controlling pain associated with BBED.

37 The Epidemiology of Burn Injury in A Large Southern Geographic Area

Abstract Introduction Given the resource-intense nature of treatment for burn injuries and the knowledge of at-risk populations, a public health approach to reducing individual and societal burden is indicated. To accomplish this, it is critical to understand the regional distribution of these injuries and the risk factors influencing one’s susceptibility to being burned. We hypothesize that there are common sociodemographic trends in burn injuries in a large southern geographic area. Methods Data was retrospectively reviewed for all burn patients admitted between 08/2013 and 12/2021 at a major burn center in a large southern geographic area. Sociodemographic data, burn characteristics and outcomes were analyzed. Patients with isolated inhalation injuries were excluded. One-way ANOVA was used for continuous variables with a P-value &amp;lt; 0.05. Binary logistic regression was used to evaluate independent risk factors for mortality. GIS software mapped injury locations alongside census data to augment statistics with visuospatial analysis. Results 1753 patients were included with an annual incidence rate of 36 per 100,000 person-years. Most were male (68%), Caucasian (60%) and non-Hispanic (67%). The most common etiology was cooking-related (14%), with scald and flame burns collectively making up 80%. Flame burns were significantly larger when compared to scald, electrical and chemical mechanisms (p&amp;lt; 0.05). Those between 19 and 45 years old were the largest age group (40%) with significantly larger burns compared to those 0-18 and 46-64 (p&amp;lt; 0.05), but not those &amp;gt; 65. Non-Hispanic patients had significantly larger burns than their Hispanic counterparts (p&amp;lt; 0.05) but no difference in mortality (p=.306). Patients utilizing Medicare/Medicaid were over three times more likely to die compared to those with commercial insurance. Conclusions In this cohort, male patients are injured at higher rates, however, they do not have more severe burns. The larger burns are distributed in a bimodal fashion between those 19-45 and those &amp;gt; 65, with hispanic ethnicity protective against larger burn injuries. This suggests separate mechanisms mediating larger burns in these two groups, and warrants further investigation. Insurance type, a surrogate for socioeconomic status (SES), is not associated with TBSA or LOS, however it does confer an increase in mortality in those with Medicare/Medicaid. GIS mapping verifies neighborhoods concentrated in more urban areas with lower median household incomes have higher injury rates. This highlights populations worth targeting for injury prevention, namely those between 19 and 45 of lower SES, particularly in the setting of cooking and food preparation. Applicability of Research to Practice Understanding regional trends in burn injury can target prevention efforts and identify at risk populations where further resources might be best allocated to ease the burden of burn injury.

520 Use of Phenobarbital for Alcohol Withdrawal in Small Burn Patients: Evaluation of a Pilot Protocol

Abstract Introduction Phenobarbital is a long-acting barbiturate that has primarily been used an antiepileptic in clinical practice. However its use as a sedative has seen a resurgence recently especially for the prevention and/or treatment of alcohol withdrawal. It has several characteristics that make it appealing for this indication, including its long half-life and its distinct binding to GABAA receptors that, unlike benzodiazepines, does not depend on endogenous GABA to produce its effects. Several recent studies have evaluated its use for the treatment of alcohol withdrawal both inside and outside of the ICU setting, however reports of its use in patients with burn injury are sparse. A pilot treatment protocol utilizing phenobarbital for patients with less than 20% TBSA burns at high risk of alcohol withdrawal was formulated and put into practice at our center in January of 2022. We sought to evaluate the safety and efficacy of this protocol for quality improvement. Methods This was a retrospective chart review of patients admitted from January to August 2022 with less than 20% TBSA burns who received treatment with phenobarbital for alcohol withdrawal at a major burn center in North Central Florida. There were no exclusion criteria. This project was registered as a Quality Improvement Project with the institution. Results Ten patients were included in the evaluation. Median age was 63 yo, 90% were male, and 70% were Caucasian. Median % TBSA burn was 6.5% (range 0.5-12%) and median length of stay was 16 days (range 9-50 days). Most patients were injured by Fire/Flame (80%). Most patients had a history of binge drinking (70%), and most reported drinking at least 3-4 alcoholic drinks 4 or more times per week (70%). Of those that had a detectable blood alcohol concentration on admission, the median was 163 mg/dL (range 44-325 mcg/dL). Over half of the patients (60%) received an IV bolus (either 5 or 10 mg/kg based on ideal body weight) of phenobarbital followed by an oral taper, with the remaining 40% having received an oral taper without a bolus dose. Median RASS prior to initiation of the protocol was +1, and the majority of patients remained RASS +1 or less throughout the duration of the protocol (70%). No rescue benzodiazepines were needed, no seizures were identified, and no intubations occurred while patients were on the protocol. Conclusions The phenobarbital protocol was well tolerated and controlled agitation in the majority of the patients who received it. No obvious safety concerns were identified during this review. Although this was a small sample size, these results are encouraging and support continued use of phenobarbital in preventing and controlling symptoms of alcohol withdrawal in patients with less than 20% TBSA burns. Applicability of Research to Practice Phenobarbital may be a safe and effective benzodiazepine-free option for preventing and/or treating alcohol withdrawal in small burn patients.

543 Diversity in Burn Surgery Programs

Abstract Introduction Racial and gender disparities have been longstanding in the fields of medicine and surgery. In the literature, underrepresentation has been highlighted in plastic surgery and general surgery programs, however few studies examine this within burn surgery. Two studies describe the gender and racial disparities that exist in burn surgery leadership. This study seeks to compare and highlight the representation of minority and female surgeons in burn surgery training at a major metropolitan burn center to other surgical programs. Methods Applicant data were reviewed for acceptance to the clinical burn surgery fellowship program from 2008 to 2022. Self-identification was used to categorize gender as male or female and race as Asian, African American, White, and other. The gender and race of each applicant was recorded. The data was analyzed and compared to data trends in female and minority representation among physicians in other training programs. Demographic data were also obtained from newly hired staff of the same metropolitan burn center. Results From 2008-2022, there have been 30 physicians enrolled in this institution’s burn surgery fellowship program. Fourteen (46.7%) were female. Twelve (40%) were White, ten (33.3%) were African American, six (20%) were Asian, and two (6.7%) were of unknown racial background. From 2018-2022, there have been 277 newly hired staff members for the burn center. There were 238 females (85.9%). There were 142 (51.2%) who were White, 82 (29.6%) who were African American, 30 (10.8%) who were Asian, and 23 (8.3%) who were Hispanic or Latino. Conclusions In 2022, the US graduating medical class was 52% female – a proportion that has slightly increased over the last four years. Furthermore, the US graduating medical school class was 58.8% White, 25.5% Asian, 10.6% Hispanic or Latino, 8.3% Black; these proportions of minority groups have also demonstrated a slow, but steady, increase over the last four years. Previous studies have demonstrated a lack of diversity among burn surgery leadership, but do not address diversity among burn surgery fellows or among newly recruited medical staff within burn centers. This institution’s burn surgical program has aimed to maintain a diverse minority representation to serve a community that is also diverse in race, gender, and socioeconomic status. Applicability of Research to Practice Increasing gender and racial representation in burn surgery programs is beneficial for supporting the burn patient population, which is frequently diverse in race, gender, and socioeconomic status.

Characteristics and aetiology of low-temperature burns in Beijing of China.

This study was designed to analyse the characteristics and aetiology of low-temperature burns and explore the prevention and treatment strategies. In total, 206 patients hospitalised with low-temperature burns in a major burn center in Beijing from 2017 to 2021 were included. There were 35-49 cases per year, with an average of 41 ± 4.5 cases. The prevalence of low-temperature burns was higher in female than in male and are mainly resulted from two kinds of incidents: unintended burns from heat treatment (50.97%, 105/206) and improper use of heating devices to keep warm (43.69%, 90/206). Most cases occurred in autumn (33.01%, 68/206) and the least in spring (17.96%, 37/206); cases in summer (24.27%, 50/206) and winter (24.76%, 51/206) accounted for nearly a quadrant respectively. Low-temperature burns in summer were mainly unintended burns from heat treatment (80%, 40/50), whereas in autumn were mainly resulted from improper use of heating devices to keep warm (55.88%, 38/68), the difference was statistically significant (χ2 =42.801, P < .001). Of all the cases, the burn size ranged from 0.2% to 5% TBSA, mostly less than 1% (85.92%, 177/206); third-degree burns accounted for 98.54% (203/206). Patients admitted after 3 weeks post-injury accounted for 42.23% (87/206). All patients were cured, and most of them were by surgeries (70.87%, 146/206). The results of the study show that low-temperature burn injury features a predictable morbidity among different seasons, a higher prevalence in adult women and a frequent occurrence at home. The wounds of low-temperature burns are often small in size but deep in depth, and can be easily misdiagnosed as superficial burns. However, most low-temperature burn wounds require surgical treatment. The study also suggests that based on the characteristics and aetiology of low-temperature burns, targeted prevention and treatment measures should be mapped out.

Epidemiological and Clinical Characteristics of 471 Elderly Burn Patients in China: A Burn Center-based Study.

Burns are characterized by difficult treatment, poor prognosis, and high mortality especially in elderly patients. The aim of this paper is to study the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of elderly burn patients admitted to a major burn center from 2016 to 2020. The data of 471 elderly burn patients admitted to our burn center from January 2016 to December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. Demographic and clinical variables of different age groups were statistically analyzed, and variables related to length of stay (LOS) and hospitalization costs were analyzed through linear regression models. The mean age of included patients was 69.03 years. Scald injuries accounted for 42.7% of all burns with the extremities being the most commonly affected anatomic site (46.5%). Approximately 67.5% and 5.9% of all patients suffered from full-thickness burns and inhalation injuries, respectively. These patients required more surgical procedures, longer operation durations, and higher costs compared with other burn patients. The mean LOS was 17 days with a mortality rate of 2.1%. There were statistically significant differences in the etiological characteristics and clinical manifestations of burn patients in different age groups. Individualized targeted prevention and treatment strategies should be performed according to the clinical characteristics and relevant risk factors of each patient.

Dear Program Directors: There Are Numerous Entrustable Professional Activities on a Burns Rotation!

Background: Burn care has long been an integral part of the scope of plastic surgery, but the time allocated to exposure for plastic surgery residents is under threat due to the range of sub-specialities competing for their time. As part of the Competence by Design approach to plastic surgical training, residents are provided with a list of 52 "Entrustable professional activities' (EPA's) to ensure that core skills and knowledge are acquired. Methods: This survey, distributed via email using a link to Survey MonkeyTM, sought to determine which EPA's were available for completion by plastic surgeons in training during the burn rotation at a major academic burn centre in Canada. Via investigator consensus, 26 of the 52 EPA's were included for assessment; the remaining 26 were not regarded as relevant to the burn centre rotation and therefore better acquired elsewhere. Results: Thirty two residents who underwent a burn rotation between 1 January 2015 and 31 December 2021 completed the anonymous survey. Seventeen of the 26 EPA's evaluated were judged by more than 75% of respondents as being readily amenable to completion during the burn rotation. Most of these EPA's relate to the comprehensive care of patients with acute burn injuries, the management of an in-patient plastic surgery service, and associated quality improvement processes. Residents who completed rotations less than three months in duration had less opportunity to complete a further 8 EPA's in comparison to those who had longer rotations, especially with respect to the care of patients undergoing complex wound care and burn reconstruction. Conclusions: In addition to threatening seamless service delivery at burn centres, reduced resident exposure to the burn rotation may compromise the delivery of burn care in the community. The results of this survey refute any argument that the burn service is a "low yield" rotation from an EPA acquisition perspective.

Epidemiology and outcome analysis of 1359 intensive care burn patients: A 14-year retrospective study in a major burn center

AimsGlobally, burn-related morbidity and mortality still remain high. In order to identify regional high-risk populations and to suggest appropriate prevention measure allocation, we aimed at analyzing epidemiological characteristics, etiology and outcomes of our 14-year experience with an intensive care unit (ICU) burn patient population. MethodsA retrospective observational study was conducted including patients treated between March 2007 and December 2020 in our intensive care burn unit. Demographic, clinical and epidemiological data were collected and analyzed. ResultsA total of 1359 patients were included. 68% of the subjects were males and the largest age group affected entailed 45–64-year-old adults (34%). Regarding etiology, flame and contact burns were the most common in all age groups. Mean affected total body surface area (TBSA) was 13 ± 14.5% in all subjects. Most of the burns occurred domestically or during recreational activities. Mean hospital stay was 17.77 ± 19.7 days. The average mortality was 7.7%. The mortality rate showed an overall decreasing trend whilst burn severity remained consistent from 2007 to 2020. ConclusionsDespite consistent burn severity presentations of annual ICU admissions, burn injury mortality showed a decreasing trend, which was in part attributed to substantial progress in burn care and treatment and improved burn prevention awareness. Statistically significant age and gender differences could be detected with regard to burn etiology and seasonality, as well as outcomes, which highlight the importance of individualized primary prevention programs.

Geriatric Burn Injuries Presenting to the Emergency Department of a Major Burn Center: Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes

BackgroundBurn injuries in geriatric patients are common and may have significant associated morbidity and mortality. Most research has focused on the care of hospitalized patients after admission to burn units. Little is known about the clinical characteristics of geriatric burn victims who present to the emergency department (ED) and their ED assessment and management. ObjectiveOur aim was to describe the clinical characteristics and outcomes of geriatric patients presenting to the ED with burn injuries. MethodsWe performed a comprehensive retrospective chart review on all patients 60 years and older with a burn injury presenting from January 2011 through September 2015 to a large, urban, academic ED in a hospital with a 20-bed burn center. ResultsA total of 459 patients 60 years and older were treated for burn injuries during the study period. Median age of burn patients was 71 years, 23.7% were 80 years and older, and 56.6% were female. The most common burn types were hot water scalds (43.6%) and flame burns (23.1%). Median burn size was 3% total body surface area (TBSA), 17.1% had burns > 10% TBSA, and 7.8% of patients had inhalation injuries. After initial evaluation, 46.4% of patients were discharged from the ED. Among patients discharged from the ED, only 1.9% were re-admitted for any reason within 30 days. Of the patients intubated in the ED, 7.1% were extubated during the first 2 days of admission, and 64.3% contracted ventilator-associated pneumonia. ConclusionsBetter understanding of ED care for geriatric burn injuries may identify areas in which to improve emergency care for these vulnerable patients.

38 Utilizing an Implementation Science Framework to Design a Burn Resuscitation Bundle in a Resource-limited Setting

IntroductionProtocolized burn resuscitation algorithms with hourly, closed loop feedback, have reduced instances of over- and under-resuscitation and improved outcomes in high income countries. However, a “know-do” gap exists as this practice has yet to be adopted in many low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). We aimed to describe the change management process of the development and implementation of a contextually driven protocolized burn resuscitation bundle at a tertiary burn center in an LMIC using an implementation science framework.MethodsWe applied strategies from the Expert Recommendations for Implementing Change (ERIC) for the design and implementation of a burn resuscitation bundle at a major burn center in an LMIC, over a 9-month period. Semi-structured focus group discussions (FGD) were conducted with stakeholders to understand facilitators and barriers to developing and using the protocol, with iterative feedback used to inform and adjust the protocol and documentation tools. Responses were analyzed using content analysis and particularly unique and useful responses were highlighted.ResultsStakeholders identified resource constraint-related concerns about the feasibility of an hourly IV resuscitation protocol and reached consensus on performing 2-hourly assessments and fluid adjustments. Corresponding documentation tools were developed and iteratively adjusted. Several initial barriers to adoption and institutionalization were encountered. ERIC strategies used to promote intervention uptake included simplification and visualization of the protocol, identification of a project champion, development of educational materials for multiple cadres (e.g., nurses, physicians, health assistants), use of chain of command to enable change and accountability, utilizing institutional branding and ultimately obtaining endorsement by the center’s leadership (Table 1). Post-implementation FGD with stakeholders revealed high levels of acceptance, utilization and adherence of the protocol bundle, with occasional opportunities for improvement identified in protocol completeness and accuracy.ConclusionsAdoption of change in clinical resuscitation practice in a resource-constrained setting required a contextually driven, multi-faceted approach led by a team of change champions and leaders. The ERIC framework allowed for an iterative approach to prioritize stakeholder engagement and feedback, in order to implement a protocolized IV resuscitation bundle in a LMIC.