A Pilot Study to Validate the Burn Center Pediatric Early Warning Score Tool in Clinical Practice.

The pediatric early warning score (PEWS) tool helps providers to detect subtle clinical deterioration in non-intensive care unit pediatric patients and intervene early to prevent significant adverse outcomes. Although widely used in general pediatrics, limited studies report on its validation; none report on use with burn-injured patients. New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center modified a general PEWS system to a burn-specific PEWS and integrated its use into standard practice. This study investigated the external validity of the PEWS process in clinical practice. Fifty cases of patients aged 0 to 15.9 years admitted between January 2012 and June 2013, whose length of stay (LOS) more than 3 days were selected for review from this cohort of n equal to 187. Demographics, total PEWS and score changes, and compliance with PEWS documentation and with resultant interventions were reviewed. Continuous variables are presented as mean ± SD, P less than 0.05. Mean age, burn size, and LOS were 3.2 ± 3.3 years, 4.8 ± 5.7%, and 9.8 ± 7.0 days; 26% required grafting, and 50% were male. No mortalities occurred. One thousand six hundred and twelve PEWS from 1745 opportunities were documented (92.4%). For all PEWS (n = 1612) and PEWS greater than 0 (n = 912), means were 0.9 ± 1.2 and 1.6 ± 1.2, respectively. Among the 162 PEWS increase events, intake (54.1%) and output (4.5%) parameters increased most commonly. Of these, 129 PEWS increases (79.6%) were followed by an intervention that most commonly included text notation of score increase (93.7%), physician/physician assistant notification (70.5%), and feeding-tube insertion (25.6%). Patients with PEWS greater than 0 had similar age, LOS, and larger burn size (5.2% vs 1.4%, P < 0.05) than those with PEWS equal to 0. Compliance with PEWS performance and resultant actions based on score increases are high. Data support that even small changes in burn-injury specific PEWS stimulate provider discussion and intervention and support its validation; further studies on its effect on practice are warranted.

Predictors of Mortality Among Pediatric Burn Patients in East Africa.

Little is known about the outcomes of pediatric burn patients in resource-limited and rural locations of the developing world. In March 2013, our pediatric burn unit existing in this setting established an electronic registry of all patients. The authors analyzed the registry to determine overall mortality rates and predictors of mortality, including that of underweight status and body part burned. The secure electronic database of all admissions was reviewed for age, gender, weight, burn percentage (TBSA%), body part burned, cause/place of injury, length of stay, underweight status, surgery performed, reason for discharge, and mortality. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression was used to determine the variables associated with mortality. Kaplan-Meier curves were also analyzed. A total of 211 cases (59.7% male) admitted from March 2013 to June 2014 were reviewed. The median age, %TBSA, and length of stay were 2.0 years (1.3-3.3), 8.0% (5.0-13.4), and 8.5 days (4-14). The overall mortality rate was 15/211 (7.1%). Most injuries were unintentional (93.8%) scalds (85.3%) occurring in the home (98.1%). Two factors were significantly associated with mortality in the final multivariable model: %TBSA (odds ratio = 1.31 for 1% increase in %TBSA; 95% confidence interval = 1.17-1.46) and younger age (odds ratio = 0.20; 0.07-0.63). This study characterizes mortality among patients at a pediatric burn unit serving a rural population in the developing world. The majority of pediatric burns were unintentional scalds occurring in the home. %TBSA and lower age were the strongest predictors of mortality. Burn location and underweight status were not independent predictors of mortality. Overall mortality was 7.1%. These data are applicable to improving outcomes for patients in this burn unit and similar settings of its kind.

Pediatric sink-bathing: a risk for scald burns.

Our burn center previously reported a significant incidence of scald burns from tap water among patients treated at the center. However, mechanism of these scalds was not investigated in detail. A recent series of pediatric patients who sustained scalds while bathing in the sink was noted. To evaluate the extent of these injuries and create an effective prevention program for this population, a retrospective study of bathing-related sink burns among pediatric patients was performed. Patients between the ages of 0 and 5.0 years who sustained scald burns while being bathed in the sink were included in this study. Sex, race, age, burn size, length of stay, and surgical procedures were reviewed. During the study period of January 2003 through August 2008, 56 patients who were scalded in the sink were admitted, accounting for 54% of all bathing-related scalds. Among these, 56% were boys and 45% were Hispanic. Mean age was 0.8 ± 0.1 years. Burn size and hospital length of stay averaged 5 ± 0.7% and 11 ± 1 days, respectively. Of this group, 10.7% required skin grafting. The overwhelming majority (94% of patients) were discharged home. The remaining patients were discharged to inpatient rehabilitation, foster care, and others. Pediatric scald burns sustained while bathing in a sink continue to be prevalent at our burn center. Because of limited space and the child's proximity to faucet handles and water flow, sinks are an unsafe location to bathe a child. While such practice may be necessary for some families, comprehensive burn prevention education must address this hazard.

New management strategy for fluid resuscitation: quantifying volume in the first 48 hours after burn injury.

This study evaluated a 24-hour resuscitation protocol, established a formula to quantify resuscitation volume for the second 24 hours, described the relationship between the first and second 24 hours, and identified which patients required high volumes. A protocol for patients with burn >15% TBSA was implemented in 2009. Initial fluid was based on the Parkland calculation and adjusted to meet a goal urine output. Protocol compliance was defined as appropriate fluid titration to maintain urine output. Resuscitation ratio in the second 24 hours was tabulated as total fluid /(evaporative loss + maintenance fluid + estimated colloid). Data were collected prospectively from 2009 to 2011. A Wilcoxon rank test compared differences between groups. Regression analyses analyzed volume administered. P < .05 was statistically significant. Forty patients with burn >15% TBSA met criteria for inclusion. Mean age, burn size, and resuscitation volumes in the first and second 24 hours (mean + SD) were 47+ 20.7 years, 29.9 + 14.6% TBSA, 7.4 + 3.7 ml/kg/% TBSA, and a ratio of 1.9 times expected volume (SD, 1.3), respectively. Protocol compliance was 34%. Intubation, older age, and increased narcotic administration correlated with higher resuscitation volumes. A higher resuscitation volume in the first 24 hours significantly correlated with a higher resuscitation volume in the second 24 hours (P < .001). In conclusion, there is a significant relationship between fluid administration in the first and second 24 hours of resuscitation; intubation, older age, and narcotics correlate with higher volumes. A formula for observed/expected volumes in the second 24 hours is total fluid/(evaporative loss + maintenance fluid +estimated colloid).

Burn disaster response planning in New York City: updated recommendations for best practices.

Since its inception in 2006, the New York City (NYC) Task Force for Patients with Burns has continued to develop a city-wide and regional response plan that addressed the triage, treatment, transportation of 50/million (400) adult and pediatric victims for 3 to 5 days after a large-scale burn disaster within NYC until such time that a burn center bed and transportation could be secured. The following presents updated recommendations on these planning efforts. Previously published literature, project deliverables, and meeting documents for the period of 2009-2010 were reviewed. A numerical simulation was designed to evaluate the triage algorithm developed for this plan. A new, secondary triage scoring algorithm, based on co-morbidities and predicted outcomes, was created to prioritize multiple patients within a given acuity and predicted survivability cohort. Recommendations for a centralized patient and resource tracking database, plan operations, activation thresholds, mass triage, communications, data flow, staffing, resource utilization, provider indemnification, and stakeholder roles and responsibilities were specified. Educational modules for prehospital providers and nonburn center nurses and physicians who would provide interim care to burn injured disaster victims were created and pilot tested. These updated best practice recommendations provide a strong foundation for further planning efforts, and as of February 2011, serve as the frame work for the NYC Burn Surge Response Plan that has been incorporated into the New York State Burn Plan.

Engaging older adults in burn prevention education: results of a community-based urban initiative.

The objective of the study is to educate New York City seniors aged 60 years and older about fire safety and burn prevention through the use of a community-based, culturally sensitive delivery platform. The ultimate goal is to reduce burn injury morbidity and mortality among this at-risk population. Programming was developed and provided to older adults attending community-based senior centers. Topics included etiology of injury, factors contributing to burn injuries, methods of prevention, emergency preparedness, and home safety. Attendees completed a postpresentation survey. Of the 234 senior centers invited to participate in the program, 64 (27%) centers requested presentations, and all received the educational programming, reaching 2196 seniors. An additional 2590 seniors received education during community-based health fairs. A majority reported learning new information, found the presentation helpful, and intended to apply this knowledge to daily routines. Data confirm that many opportunities exist to deliver culturally sensitive burn prevention programming to the older adult population of this large metropolitan area in settings that are part of their daily lives. A majority of respondents welcomed the information, perceived it as helpful, and reported that they were likely to integrate the information into their lives.

Burn disaster response planning: an urban region's approach.

The objective of this study was to describe a draft response plan for the tiered triage, treatment, or transportation of 400 adult and pediatric victims (50/million population) of a burn disaster for the first 3 to 5 days after injury using regional resources. Review of meeting minutes and the 11 deliverables of the draft response plan was performed. The draft burn disaster response plan developed for NYC recommended: 1) City hospitals or regional burn centers within a 60-mile distance be designated as tiered Burn Disaster Receiving Hospitals (BDRH); 2) these hospitals be divided into a four-tier system, based on clinical resources; and 3) burn care supplies be provided to Tier 3 nonburn centers. Existing burn center referral guidelines were modified into a hierarchical BDRH matrix, which would vector certain patients to local or regional burn centers for initial care until capacity is reached; the remainder would be cared for in nonburn center facilities for up to 3 to 5 days until a city, regional, or national burn bed becomes available. Interfacility triage would be coordinated by a central team. Although recommendations for patient transportation, educational initiatives for prehospital and hospital providers, city-wide, interfacility or interagency communication strategies and coordination at the State or Federal levels were outlined, future initiatives will expound on these issues. An incident resulting in critically injured burn victims exceeding the capacity of local and regional burn center beds may be a reality within any community and warrants a planned response. To address this possibility within New York City, an initial draft of a burn disaster response has been created. A scaleable plan using local, state, regional, or federal health care and governmental institutions was developed.

The impact of a legislative intervention to reduce tap water scald burns in an urban community.

To review the efficacy municipal legislation in the reduction of tap water scald burns among an urban population. A retrospective chart and database review of patients hospitalized at this burn center between July 1999 and June 2004 for treatment of tap water scalds were performed. Demographic information and injury details, including extent of injury and age, type and location of the dwelling in which the injury occurred, were reviewed. Citywide incidence of these injuries for periods before and after a local prevention law was enacted was also calculated. Hospital costs for acute care treatment of these injuries were estimated. Tap water scalds increased from 15 to 22 per million/yr after legislation enactment. This burn center treated 281 of these patients during 5 years of the study period. Patients experienced significant morbidity and mortality. All cases (100%) occurred in structures exempt from current legislation. Citywide treatment costs were estimated between $102 and $148,000,000. In New York City, tap water scald burns remain a significant public health risk and continue to occur within buildings exempt from current law. Future injuries may potentially be prevented by expanding the law to include all residential buildings, regardless of building age or minimum occupancy.

Tap water scalds among seniors and the elderly: socio-economics and implications for prevention.

INTRODUCTION: Tap water scalds among those >or=60 years old are often attributed to physical impairments with aging. This study assesses socio-economics associated with tap water scalds among seniors and the elderly. METHODS: Charts of patients admitted to an urban Burn Center between 7/00 and 6/04 for treatment of tap water scalds were reviewed. Demographics, injury details, co-morbidities, surgical interventions/critical care requirements, length of stay (LOS), disposition and related economics were reviewed. RESULTS: During the study period, 68 patients >or=60 years were hospitalized for treatment of these scalds. Mean age and burn size were 78+/-1 years and 7+/-0.9% TBSA. Over 98% of patients were admitted with pre-existing co-morbidities; 60% required ICU care for 40+/-5 days; 22% required mechanical ventilation and 71% required surgery. LOS was 34+/-4 days. Most patients received government assistance income. Pre-injury, 32% resided alone. Post-injury, 10% of patients returned home alone; mortality was 22%. Per patient hospital costs approximated $113,000. CONCLUSION: These findings report that tap water scalds result in significant morbidity, mortality and health care costs for local seniors and the elderly. Socio-economic factors play a significant role in these injuries and must be assessed when planning prevention efforts.

Burn-injured patients in a disaster: September 11th revisited.

We sought to review the steps taken by the New York Presbyterian Healthcare System to address disaster preparedness in the wake of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. We reviewed the institutional records of emergency preparedness efforts, including improvements in infrastructure, employee education and training, and participation in intramural and extramural disaster response initiatives. We used a state discharge database to review burn injury triage within New York State (1995-2004). Since September 11, 2001, significant resources have been devoted to emergency preparedness: expansion of emergency services training, education, response, equipment, and communications; participation in regional disaster response exercises; revision of hospital preparedness plans; and development of municipal and regional responses to a burn mass casualty incident. A review of state and city burn triage patterns during the period of 1995 to 2004 revealed a decline in the number of burn cases treated in New York State-based hospitals by an average of 81 +/- 24 (mean +/- SEM) fewer cases/year (P = .01), occurring primarily in hospitals outside of New York City. Additionally, there was a steady increase in the proportion of New York City burn patients treated at burn center hospitals by 1.8 +/- 0.1 % per year (P < .0001). In response to the events of September 11, 2001, this health care system and this hospital has taken many steps to enhance its disaster response capabilities.

Contact burns: is further prevention necessary?

Contact burns may result in severe burn injury due to prolonged transfer of heat from an object to the skin. Often, these burns occur with the use of household appliances and fixtures during routine activities of daily living. A retrospective review was performed. Data were obtained through a review of electronic medical records and the Burn Center's National Trauma Registry of the American College of Surgeons database. Patients admitted to the burn center between July 1999 and June 2004, who had sustained a contact burn, were identified and included in the study group. During the study period, 336 patients (55% male) were admitted for treatment of acute contact burns. The mean age of patients was 18 years, and the median age was 2.4 years. The mean burn size of the study group was 2.1% of the total body surface area. During the study period, four patients required mechanical ventilation for a mean of 13.2 days. Surgical closure of the burn wound was required by 36% of patients. Eighty-nine percent of patients were discharged to home; mortality rate was 1.0%. The majority of burns (92%) were non-occupational. The findings of this study support the premise that significant morbidity from contact with heated objects continues to occur. During the past 5 years, the incidence of contact burns has remained steady, resulting in 10% of all acute burn injuries requiring hospitalization at this burn center. The incidence reported here is similar to those reported both nationally and internationally and supports the need for continued burn prevention education.

Outpatient firefighter burn injuries: a 3-year review.

Previously, our Burn Center at the New-York Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center reported a decline during a 10-year period in the number of firefighters requiring hospitalization for burn injuries, from 53 patients per year to 15 patients per year. Because the incidence of structural fires continued at a constant rate of 26,240 to 30,841 per year during this time, it was postulated that an improvement in protective gear accounted for the decrease in injuries. However, it also was possible that more firefighters were being treated on an outpatient basis. Therefore, our Burn Center's outpatient treatment of firefighter burn injuries was reviewed to determine the epidemiology of firefighter burn injuries. On the basis of this study, the overall incidence of burn injuries in firefighters has continued at a constant level. These findings, however, demonstrate that the extent of injury has decreased in this population and suggest that the protective gear used by firefighters has contributed to these findings. These injuries, although minor to moderate, preclude the use of personal protective equipment until the burns are completely healed and contribute to a delayed return to full-duty status. These findings are consistent with nationally reported findings.

Burn injury in patients with dementia: an impetus for prevention.

Current literature has reported an increase in the rates of morbidity and mortality in elderly dementia patients who have suffered from illnesses such as pneumonia or traumatic injuries such as falls, motor vehicle collisions, and other insults. The role of dementia in elderly burn patients has not been studied in depth. To assess the extent of this problem, a retrospective, case-control study of patients with dementia who were admitted to a large urban burn center was performed. The demographics, circumstance and severity of injury, critical care use, and discharge disposition of those patients admitted with dementia were reviewed and compared with the findings of age/burn size-matched controls. The results support the premise that burn injuries in this patient population can be severe. Although not statistically significant, 22.2% of the study group patients required ventilatory support, and 75% required monitoring in the intensive care unit compared with the 15.3% and 61.6% of control patients who required ventilatory support and monitoring in the intensive care unit, respectively. Also, although not statistically significant, the mortality rate of the study group was 25%, almost double that of the control group (13.8%). No other significant differences were observed. These findings support the need for assistance and supervision with daily activity and burn prevention education for this population. As our population ages and we are faced with caring for those with dementia, further burn prevention is warranted.

Firefighter burn injuries: a 10-year longitudinal study.

Our metropolitan area employs approximately 11,000 firefighters who respond to more than 435,000 fire-related incidents per year. It is inevitable that some of these firefighters will suffer burn injuries. This 10-year retrospective review describes the epidemiology of firefighters with burn injuries who were treated at our burn center. From 1992 to 2002, 987 firefighters were treated at our burn center. The total number of firefighters treated for burn injuries and the number of firefighters who were treated for burn injuries to the lower extremities occurred in a bimodal distribution. Injury prevention efforts will continue to further reduce the incidence of burn injuries in the firefighters of our community.

Car radiator burns: a prevention issue.

Scald burns continue to be the major cause of injury to patients admitted to the burn center. Scald burns occurring from car radiator fluid comprise a significant subgroup. Although manufacturer warning labels have been placed on car radiators, these burns continue to occur. This retrospective review looks at all patients admitted to our burn center who suffered scald burns from car radiator fluid to assess the extent of this problem. During the study period, 86 patients were identified as having suffered scald burns as a result of contact with car radiator fluid. Seventy-one percent of the burn injuries occurred in the summer months. The areas most commonly burned were the head and upper extremities. Burn prevention efforts have improved greatly over the years; however, this study demonstrates that scald burns from car radiator fluid continue to cause physical, emotional, and financial devastation. The current radiator warning labels alone are not effective. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has proposed a new federal motor vehicle safety standard to aid in decreasing the number of scald burns from car radiators. The results of this study were submitted to the United States Department of Transportation for inclusion in a docket for federal legislation supporting these safety measures.

Diabetes and burns: retrospective cohort study.

Burn injuries are often associated with multisystemic complications, even in otherwise healthy individuals. It is therefore intuitive that for the diabetic patient, the underlying pathophysiologic alterations in vascular supply, peripheral neuropathy, and immune function could have a profoundly devastating impact on patient outcome. The effects of diabetes on morbidity and mortality of the burn-injured patient have not been examined in great detail. The purpose of this retrospective study was to compare clinical outcomes between diabetic and nondiabetic burn patients. We reviewed the charts of 181 diabetic (DM) and 190 nondiabetic (nDM) patients admitted with burns between January 1996 and May 2000, matched by sex and date of admission. Burn cause and size, time to presentation, clinical course, and outcomes were evaluated. Because age was a factor, the analysis was done by three age groups: younger than 18 years, 18 to 65 years, and older than 65 years. Of patients 18 to 65 years, 51% (98/191) were diabetic, whereas 84% (81/96) of those older than 65 and only 4% (3/85) of patients younger than 18 were diabetic. Because of the disproportion in numbers of diabetics compared with nondiabetics in the younger than 18 and older than 65 years-old groups, these patients will not be discussed. Diabetics were more likely to incur scald injury from tub or shower water rather than hot fluid spills (33% DM vs 15% nDM; P < or = 0.01), and have a delayed presentation (45 vs 23%; P = 0.00001). There was no difference in total burn size in all groups. Diabetics in the 18 to 65 years group had a higher rate of full-thickness burns (51 vs 31%; P = 0.025), skin grafts (50 vs 28%; P = 0.01) and burn-related procedures (57 vs 32%; P = 0.001), infections (65 vs 51%; P = 0.05), and longer lengths of stay (23 vs 12 days; P = 0.0001). Although there was no statistically significant difference in incidence of specific infections, the rates of cellulitis, wound infection, urinary tract infection, line infection, and osteomyelitis, were consistently higher in the diabetic population. Partial graft slough was 6% in diabetics 18 to 65 years with a 3% regraft rate, whereas nondiabetics had a 1% regraft rate. Comparing diabetics with controlled vs uncontrolled glucose levels, diabetics with uncontrolled glucose had higher rates of infection (72 vs 55%; P < or = 0.025), all burn-related procedures (68 vs 45%; P < or = 0.025), and longer ICU stays (24 vs 10 days; P = 0.048). Mortality rate was 2% for diabetics and for nondiabetics. In summary, presence of diabetes in the burn patient was associated with a worse outcome. A predilection for burn injuries in the diabetic was noted in the older adult population. Deeper burns, delayed presentation, higher rates of infection, graft failure and operations, and longer lengths of stay translate into an increased cost to society both economically and in lives. This data would suggest a need for better burn education for diabetics and health care professionals, recognizing the elderly population as a "high-risk" group. We believe that targeted prevention measures and treatment strategies, emphasizing earlier and more aggressive intervention for this population, may have a favorable effect on morbidity and mortality.