ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The primary objective of this study was to compare rates of urinary tract and soft tissue infections in critically ill burn patients before and following introduction of a Bowel Management System (BMS). We also analyzed the economic impact of the BMS as compared to reactive management of fecal soiling via cleansing and dressing changes. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A retrospective case-matched before-after study was completed. Critically ill burn patients using a BMS were matched with similar patients managed before introduction of the device based on gender, total body surface area burned, burn location, ventilation days, and hospital length of stay. RESULTS: Reductions in hospital-acquired urinary tract infections and skin and soft tissue infections were observed after introduction of the BMS. Despite its initial cost, it proved more cost effective than a reactive bowel management strategy based on cleansing and dressing changes when fecal soiling occurs. CONCLUSIONS: Proactive use of a bowel management device appears to reduce some infectious sequelae in a complicated burn care population and proved cost-effective for our facility.
