549 Differences in Treatment of Stevens-johnson Syndrome and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis at Burn Centers and Non-burn Centers

Introduction Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), and SJS/TEN overlap syndrome (SJS/TEN) are severe exfoliative skin disorders resulting primarily from allergic drug reactions and sometimes from viral causes. Because of the significant epidermal loss in many of these patients, many of them end up receiving treatment at a burn center for expertise in the care of large wounds. Previous work on the treatment of this disease focused only on the differences in care of the same patients treated at non-burn centers and then transferred to burn centers. We wanted to explore whether patients had any differences in care or outcomes when they received definitive treatment at burn centers and non-burn centers. Methods We queried the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database from 2016 for patients with SJS, SJS/TEN, and TEN diagnosis. We considered burn centers as those with greater than 10 burn transfers to their center and fewer than 5 burn transfers out of their center in a year. Multivariable logistic regression assessed factors associated with treatment at a burn center and mortality. Results Using the NIS, a total of 1164 patients were identified. These were divided into two groups, non-burn centers vs. burn centers, and those groups were compared for demographic characteristics as well as variables in their hospital course and outcome. Patients treated at non-burn centers were more likely to have SJS and patients treated at burn centers were more likely to have both SJS/TEN and TEN. Demographics were similar between treatment locations, though African-Americans were more likely to be treated at a burn center. Burn centers had higher rates of patients with extreme severity and mortality risks, and a longer length of stay. However, burn centers had similar actual mortality compared to non-burn centers. Patients treated at burn centers had higher charges and were more likely to be transferred to long-term care after their hospital stay. Conclusions The majority of patients with exfoliative skin disorders are still treated at non-burn centers. Patients with SJS/TEN and TEN were more likely to be treated at a burn center. Patients treated at burn centers appear to have more severe disease but similar mortality to those treated at non-burn centers. Our data suggest that more patients with these disorders could benefit from transfer to a burn center. Applicability of Research to Practice These data may aid in outreach efforts to improve appropriate transfers of patients with severe exfoliative skin disorders to burn centers for definitive care.