Exploring the similarities and differences of variables collected by burn registers globally: protocol for a data dictionary review study

Abstract

IntroductionBurn registers can provide high-quality clinical data that can be used for surveillance, research, planning service provision and clinical quality assessment. Many countrywide and intercountry burn registers now exist. The variables collected by burn registers are not standardised internationally. Few international burn register data comparisons are completed beyond basic morbidity and mortality statistics. Data comparisons across registers require analysis of homogenous variables. Little work has been done to understand whether burn registers have sufficiently similar variables to enable useful comparisons. The aim of this project is to compare the variables collected in countrywide and intercountry burn registers internationally to understand their similarities and differences.Methods and analysisBurn register custodians will be invited to participate in the study and to share their register data dictionaries. Study objectives are to compare patient inclusion and exclusion criteria of each participating burn register; determine which variables are collected by each register, and if variables are required or optional, identify common variable themes; and compare a sample of variables to understand how they are defined and measured. All variable names will be extracted from each register and common themes will be identified. Detailed information will be extracted for a sample of variables to give a deeper insight into similarities and differences between registers.Ethics and disseminationNo patient data will be used in this project. Permission to use each register’s data dictionary will be sought from respective register custodians. Results will be presented at international meetings and published in open access journals. These results will be of interest to register custodians and researchers wishing to explore international data comparisons, and countries wishing to establish their own burn register.

Metal nanoparticle hybrid hydrogels: the state-of-the-art of combining hard and soft materials to promote wound healing

“…The causes of death from extensive burns are often the result of bacteria infiltrating the body through the wound, leading to sepsis 191 . Hydrogels are potent candidate materials for burn wound dressings due to their natural biocompatibility and biodegradability, promoting collagen deposition and wound contraction to aid healing.…”

“…Patients with extensive burns or chronic wounds often require long-term placement of catheters for corresponding treatments, and catheter-related infections are a common cause of sepsis in these patients 191 .…”