Background Burns are complex, multifaceted injuries that can pose significant challenges to the treating team. The Royal Adelaide Hospital (RAH) Burns Service has undergone a major evolution over the past two decades, with perceived improvement in outcomes. We present here a longitudinal audit of the RAH Burns Service Mortality Data between 2004 and 2019. Methods An audit was conducted of all index admissions to the RAH Burns Unit from 1 January 2004 to 31 December 2019. Age at admission, total body surface area, burn depth, presence of inhalation injury and outcome were recorded. Baux and revised Baux Scores were calculated. Lethal Area 50% for different time points and age groups, Baux50/100 and Revised Baux50/100 values were then calculated using logistical regression. Results During 2004–2019, there were 5653 index admissions to the RAH Burns Unit. The mean total body surface area of burn injuries admitted was 5.1% and the survival rate was 99.17%. The Lethal Area 50% for the study period was 74%, with an improvement from 70% (2004–2011) to 80% (2012–2019). The Baux50 score for the time period was 120 and the Revised Baux50 was 129. Conclusion The RAH results are comparable with other high‐income country Burn Services and demonstrated significant improvement across the study period. The data also highlight areas for ongoing focus such as the elderly burns patient.
Inhalation injury is a major contributor to mortality following burn injury. Despite recognised clinical criteria to guide the intubation of burn patients, concerns remain regarding overutilisation of intubation. Complications can arise as a result of intubation, including ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). This study reviews the indications for intubation against the internationally accepted criteria (American Burns Association (ABA) and Denver criteria) for burn patients treated at the Royal Adelaide Hospital (RAH) burns unit between 2017 and 2020. Burn patients who were intubated on arrival to the RAH or in a pre-hospital setting were identified using the BRANZ database. Indications for intubation were compared to the ABA and Denver criteria. A total of 61 patients were identified with a mean total body surface area of 17.8%. A total of 95% of patients met one of the ABA and Denver criteria. The most common ABA and Denver criteria for intubation was deep facial burns or singed facial hair, respectively. Most adult patients with burns admitted to the RAH are intubated per published criteria. Early nasoendoscopy/bronchoscopy may be useful in determining patients who can be safely extubated within 48 h.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.