587 DVT Screening in Lower Extremity Burns

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S135-S136
Author(s):  
Cameron J Gibson ◽  
Aakanksha Gupta ◽  
Abraham Houng

Abstract Introduction Burn patients are at in increased risk for developing deep vein thromboses (DVT), with rates as high as 6%. Known risk factors include large burn size, use of central lines, increasing age, male, active smoker or alcoholic, increased blood transfusions and surgeries. No study to date has looked specifically at burn location as a possible risk factor. We hypothesized that lower extremity burns with delayed presentation to our burn center are at in increased risk for DVT formation. Methods A DVT screening protocol was developed and implemented for all burn patients admitted to our burn unit starting in May 2017. Patients who presented with lower extremity burns >48 hours from their injury time underwent screening ultrasounds at admission to evaluate for DVT in the affected extremity. Data was collected from May 2017 through December 2018 for all lower extremity patients. Screened patients were identified by reviewing the burn registry for patients admitted >2 days from their injury date and then reviewing the electronic medical record for screening US. DVT rates were compared between screened patients and the overall rate for all admissions during the study period. Results There were 1041 patients admitted to the burn unit during the study period, including 445 lower extremity burns with 118 admitted >48 hours after their burn injury. The overall compliance rate with the screening protocol was 41.5% (49/118). There were a total of 4 DVT’s diagnosed among all admitted patients during the study period (1 lower extremity, 3 upper extremity), giving an overall rate of 0.5% for our unit. No DVT’s were identified in the delayed presentation group (p=0.46). Conclusions Our overall DVT rate was much lower than quoted rates in the literature. Patients with lower extremity burns and delayed presentation to a burn center do not appear to be at increased risk for DVT. Compliance with our screening protocol was relatively poor, which may be due to short hospital stays and unavailability of ultrasound on weekends for non-urgent studies. Applicability of Research to Practice Patients with lower extremity burns should receive routine DVT prophylaxis (chemical and mechanical) similar to other burn patients.

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S81-S82
Author(s):  
Kevin M Klifto ◽  
C Scott Hultman

Abstract Introduction Chronic pain, unrelated to the burn itself, can manifest as a long-term complication in patients sustaining burn injuries. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and compare burn characteristics between burn patients who developed chronic neuropathic pain (CNP) and burn patients without CNP treated at a Burn Center. Methods A single-center, retrospective analysis of 1880 patients admitted to the adult Burn Center was performed from January 1, 2014 through January 1, 2019. Patients included were over the age of fifteen years, sustained a burn injury and were admitted to the Burn Unit. CNP was diagnosed clinically following burn injury. Patients were excluded from the definition of CNP if their pain was due to an underlying medical illness or medication. Comparisons between patients admitted to the Burn Unit with no pain and patients admitted to the Burn Unit who developed CNP were performed. Results One hundred thirteen (n=113) of the 1880 burn patients developed CNP as a direct result of burn injury over five years with a prevalence of 6%. Patients who developed CNP were a significantly older median age [54 vs. 46, p=0.002], abused alcohol [29% vs. 8.5%, p< 0.001], abused substances [31% vs. 9%, p< 0.001], were current everyday smokers [73% vs. 34%, p< 0.001], suffered more full-thickness burns [58% vs. 43%, p< 0.001], greater median %TBSA burns [6 vs. 3.5, p< 0.001], were more often intubated on mechanical ventilation [33% vs. 14%, p< 0.001], greater median number of surgeries [2 vs. 0, p< 0.001] and longer median hospital length of stay (LOS) [10 vs. 3 days, p< 0.001], compared to those who did not develop CNP, respectively. Median patient follow-up was 27 months. Conclusions The prevalence of CNP over five years was 6% in the Burn Center. Older ages, alcohol abuse, substance abuse, current everyday smoking, greater %TBSA burns, third degree burns, being intubated on mechanical ventilation, having more surgeries and longer hospital LOS were associated with developing CNP following burn injury. Applicability of Research to Practice The largest study to date assessing the prevalence of chronic nerve pain following burns. Identified new independent predictors for chronic neuropathic pain following burn injury, not previously assessed in the literature.


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S219-S220
Author(s):  
Spogmai Komak ◽  
James Cross

Abstract Introduction Burn injury is uniquely characterized by the initial traumatic event in addition to the psychiatric component associated with physical change and recovery. Recent work has highlighted the importance of pre-existing psychiatric illness on both recovery and final outcomes in burn patients (Tarrier et al 2005, Hudson et al 2017, Wisely et al 2009). We examined the prevalence and association of psychiatric illness in our ABA verified burn unit. Knowledge of this information is critical in allocation of limited resources aimed toward addressing both the physical and mental aspect of burn injury. Methods The burn registry at a single verified burn center was examined from July 2017-July 2018. All consecutive burn patients with psychiatric illness who were admitted were included. Psychiatric illness was broken down into: depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and delirium. Need for psychiatric consultation, %TBSA, length of hospital stay, and operative intervention was also examined. Results 416 patients were admitted during the study period—44 pts (10.5%) had a psychiatric diagnosis on admission. Seventy-five percent of pts were male. The average TBSA burned was 15.3%. Seventy-five percent of patients required psychiatric consultation, and 57% required operative intervention (Table 1). The most common psychiatric condition was anxiety (50%), followed by depression (36%), bipolar disorder (27%), schizophrenia (23%), and delirium (18%). Forty-eight percent of patients had multiple (>1) psychiatric conditions. Female patients had a significant less TBSA burn (5.8%) vs. male (18.2%), P=.001, as well as a shorter LOS (12.1 dys vs. 31.5 dys) p=.004. Conclusions The association between burn injury and pre-existing psychiatric illness is well known (Hudson et al 2017, Wisely et al 2009). We found that over 10% of pts admitted to our burn unit had a psychiatric diagnosis, and a large number of these required further inpatient psychiatry consultation. More than half of patients required operative intervention indicating that severity of burn injury was high, with optimization of pre-existing conditions especially important. Additionally, psychiatric illness did not occur in isolation--48% of pts had >1 psychiatric diagnosis —a finding which has implications for resource allocation for mental health/ dedicated psychiatrist for burn patients. Applicability of Research to Practice Implications for resource allocations for dedicated burn psychiatrist/ resources for mental health.


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S177-S177
Author(s):  
Kate Pape ◽  
Sarah Zavala ◽  
Rita Gayed ◽  
Melissa Reger ◽  
Kendrea Jones ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction Oxandrolone is an anabolic steroid that is the standard of care for burn patients experiencing hypermetabolism. Previous studies have demonstrated the benefits of oxandrolone, including increased body mass and improved wound healing. One of the common side effects of oxandrolone is transaminitis, occurring in 5–15% of patients, but little is known about associated risk factors with the development of transaminitis. A recent multicenter study in adults found that younger age and those receiving concurrent intravenous vasopressors or amiodarone were more likely to develop transaminitis while on oxandrolone. The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence and identify risk factors for the development of transaminitis in pediatric burn patients receiving oxandrolone therapy. Methods This was a multicenter, retrospective risk factor analysis that included pediatric patients with thermal burn injury (total body surface area [TBSA] > 10%) who received oxandrolone over a 5-year time period. The primary outcome of the study was the development of transaminitis while on oxandrolone therapy, which was defined as aspartate aminotransferase (AST) or alanine aminotransferase (ALT) >100 mg/dL. Secondary outcomes included mortality, length of stay, and change from baseline ALT/AST. Results A total of 55 pediatric patients from 5 burn centers met inclusion criteria. Of those, 13 (23.6%) developed transaminitis, and the mean time to development of transaminitis was 17 days. Patients who developed transaminitis were older (12 vs 6.4 years, p = 0.01) and had a larger mean %TBSA (45.9 vs 34.1, p = 0.03). The odds of developing transaminitis increased by 23% for each 1 year increase in age (OR 1.23, CI 1.06–1.44). The use of other concurrent medications was not associated with an increased risk of developing transaminitis. Renal function and hepatic function was not associated with the development of transaminitis. There was no significant difference in length of stay and mortality. Conclusions Transaminitis occurred in 23.6% of our study population and was associated with patients who were older and had a larger mean %TBSA burn. Older pediatric patients with larger burns who are receiving oxandrolone should be closely monitored for the development of transaminitis. Applicability of Research to Practice Future research is needed to identify appropriate monitoring and management of transaminitis in oxandrolone-treated pediatric burn patients.


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S102-S103
Author(s):  
Rabia Nizamani ◽  
Stephen Heisler ◽  
Lori Chrisco ◽  
Harold Campbell ◽  
Samuel W Jones ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction In patients with type 2 diabetes (DM2), amputation rates exceed 30% when lower extremity osteomyelitis is present. We sought to determine the rate of osteomyelitis and any subsequent amputation in our patients with DM2 and lower extremity burns. Methods We performed a single site, retrospective review at our burn center using the institutional Burn Center registry with links to clinical and administrative data. Adults (≥18 years old) with DM2 admitted from January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2018 for isolated lower extremity burns were eligible for inclusion. We evaluated demographics, burn characteristics, comorbidities, admission laboratory values, presence of radiologically-confirmed osteomyelitis, length of stay (LOS), inpatient hospitalization costs, and amputation rate at 3 months and 12 months after injury. Statistical analysis was performed with Students’ t-test, chi-squared, and Fischer’s exact test. Results For 103 patients identified with DM2 and isolated lower extremity burns, the average age was 54 years old. The majority of patients were male (78.6%) and white (55.3%). The average total body surface area (TBSA) of burn was 1.8% and 53.4% were scald burns. Thirty percent of patients had a history of heart disease and 22% were current smokers. The average hemoglobin A1c was 9.19 and average creatinine was 2.01. Overall rates of any amputation were 14.6% at 3 months and 18.4% at 12 months. Fifteen patients (14.6%) had radiologically-confirmed osteomyelitis within 90 days of the burn injury. Compared to patients without osteomyelitis, this subset of patients had significantly increased LOS (average LOS 22.7 days vs 12.1 days, p=0.0041), inpatient hospitalization costs (average $135,345 vs $62,237, p=0.0008), amputation rate within 3 months (66.7% vs 5.70%, p< 0.00001), and amputation rate within 12 months (66.7% vs 10.2%, p< 0.0001). There were no significant differences in other characteristics between patients with osteomyelitis and those without. Conclusions Patients with DM2 and lower extremity burns incurred increased LOS, higher inpatient hospitalization costs, and increased amputation rates if radiologically-confirmed osteomyelitis was present. Applicability of Research to Practice Osteomyelitis in diabetic patients with lower extremity burns may predict need for amputation within one year of burn injury. Further study could aid in development of protocols for early identification and aggressive treatment of osteomyelitis in burn patients, which may improve LOS, cost, and amputation rates.


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S252-S252
Author(s):  
Mathangi A Chandramouli ◽  
Angela Rabbitts ◽  
Jamie Heffernan ◽  
Philip Chang

Abstract Introduction Burn prevention is one of the core missions of burn centers. Geomapping has been instrumental for police departments to target resources for crime prevention. Similarly, geomapping could assist burn specialists in identifying “hotspots” of injury. The purpose of this study is to visually identify the incidence and location of adult burn injury within the catchment area of a single tertiary urban regional burn center. Data mapping can thus then be used to target burn outreach and prevention efforts. Methods Demographic and deidentified clinical data was collected from a single institution over a 3 year period. 1986 burn patients were admitted between 1/2016 and 12/2018. 1360 patients were 16 years of age or greater. Geriatric patients were defined as age 60 or greater to facilitate comparison with National Burn Repository data which breaks down age by decades. The patients were mapped by their home zip code. Results 1360 burn patients 16 years or older were admitted to this single tertiary burn center between 1/2016 and 12/2018 with an age range from 16–101. 393 patients were 60 years or older (28.9% of the adult population compared to 19.8% of the NBR population) 6 zip codes within the catchment area were identified as “hotspots” as having more than 30 inpatients listing that zip code as their home address (see figure). The results show an unequal distribution of patients over the burn center’s catchment area with hotspots (defined by > 30 burn admissions during the study period) in 6 zip codes. Conclusions The local demographics of this inpatient adult burn population follow national trends in etiology but differ with regards to age and race. The geomapping tool visualizes burn incidence by geography. Based on this analysis, outreach and prevention efforts should target elderly populations especially in the “hotspots.” Applicability of Research to Practice This research will inform targeted efforts towards burn prevention and education outreach.


2009 ◽  
Vol 2009 ◽  
pp. 1-4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kolawole Olubunmi Ogundipe ◽  
Ismaila Abiona Adigun ◽  
Babatunde Akeeb Solagberu

Background/Objective. Burn injury is a devastating injury. The economic drain on the patient's purse is equally devastating. Few studies have examined the cost of managing burn patients particularly the drug component.Methods. The financial implication of drug use in the management of 69 consecutive patients admitted by the burn unit over a period of two years was retrospectively analysed.Results. Thirty-six (52.2%) patients were males and 33 (47.8%) females with a mean age of 17.9 years (). The patients spent an average sum of $91.21 to procure drugs; 84.3% of the costs were for antibiotics, 11.1% for analgesics, and 4.6% for others.Conclusion. Significant amount of money is spent on the procurement of drugs. Most of the money is spent on prescribed antibiotics. Measures that reduce antibiotics use in burn management might relief patients of the huge economic burden associated with its use.


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S144-S144
Author(s):  
Patricia Regojo ◽  
Molly Mohan

Abstract Introduction It is known, hypothermia, core body temperature at or below 36oC/96.8oF, can lead to dangerous complications for burn patients. Due to loss of their protective thermoregulation, burn patients are at an increased risk of hypothermia during surgery. Findings from a Quality Assurance audit revealed burn patients were returning from surgery hypothermic and hemodynamically unstable. There was little evidence of intra-operative temperature management in the electronic medical record (EMR) or reported to the nurse upon the patients’ return from the operating room (OR). Only 73% of patients had temperatures recorded during their surgery and of those, 40% had a drop of temperature >2 degrees from their baseline. The purpose of this collaborative evidence-based quality assurance project was to improve temperature management in the operating room and prevent hypothermia in the intra and post operative periods. Our aim was to develop warming methods pre-operatively that would establish a goal for keeping the patients’s temperature within 2 degrees of their baseline preoperative temperature during surgery. Methods A literature search obtained from CINAHL, Cochrane, EMBASE, and MEDLINE from 2010–2018, provided current surgical guidelines and evidence-based practices for managing surgical hypothermia in burn patients (levels of evidence I, III, V, & VI). Recommendations from the burn unit staff for preoperative warming initiatives were listed and shared with the OR staff. Hemodynamic documentation, including core temperature, estimated blood loss, and intra-operative warming methods were monitored for twelve months after the Burn Unit Warming Protocol was implemented. Progress was reported quarterly in our Burn and Trauma Quality Committees. Results After implementing the Burn Unit Warming Protocol, temperature management of the burn patient improved. Intra-operative warming methods were initiated. Patients began returning from surgery warmer with improved hemodynamics. 96% of the patients had their temperatures recorded and managed intra-operatively. Of those patients, only 2.6% had a drop in temperature > 2 degrees from their pre-operative baseline. Conclusions Implementing a nurse-driven warming protocol from the pre-operative stage through surgery can aid in reducing post-operative hypothermia in burn patients. Applicability of Research to Practice Managing hypothermia will help reduce complications that can lead to increase morbidity and mortality in burn patients.


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (5) ◽  
pp. 951-955
Author(s):  
Matthew Eisenberg ◽  
Paul Chestovich ◽  
Syed F Saquib

Abstract Burns from contact with hot pavement are a common mechanism treated at burn centers located in desert climates. Previous work has shown increased risk of pavement burns as ambient temperatures rise above 95 degrees. In direct sunlight, pavement absorbs radiant energy causing the temperature to rise high enough to cause second-degree burns in seconds. The goal of this study is to review the mechanisms and outcomes of patients suffering pavement burns and to compare patients who presented with hyperthermia to their normothermia counterparts. A retrospective chart review was performed on pavement burns at an ABA-verified Burn Center for 5 years from 2014 to 2018. A total of 195 patients were identified. It was found that 50.5% of admitted pavement burn patients required burn excision and 35.9% required split-thickness skin grafting. The leading causes of pavement burn admissions were found down by EMS and walking on pavement at 21.6% each, followed by mechanical falls at 15.1%. We found that patients with recorded hyperthermia had statistically significant increase in 30-day hospital mortality, intensive care unit days, surgical procedures, and %TBSA. Data provided from this study can be used for a public health initiative to help patients who may be at risk of acquiring pavement burns. The data may also be helpful for clinicians gaining information about the management, mechanism, and outcomes of pavement burn patients.


2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 98-103
Author(s):  
Yu.Yu. Kutlaeva ◽  
◽  
A.A. Golubkova ◽  
V.A. Bagin ◽  
◽  
...  

Objective. To assess epidemiological characteristics of purulent septic infections (PSIs) in the intensive care unit (ICU) of a burn center. Patients and methods. In this retrospective epidemiological study, we analyzed medical records of 399 patients with burn injuries and the results of laboratory testing (2,572 samples). The majority of ICU patients were men aged 30–39 years. Almost half of the patients were workers. Burns were primarily caused by an open flame and were mainly received at home. Of note, 45.4% of patients who had burns caused by an open flame also had respiratory tract lesions. More than half of the patients had deep burns. A total of 18.6% of patients (95% CI 14.8–22.7) died. Results. The incidence of PSIs in the ICU of the burn center was 533,8‰ (95% CI 483.5–583.6), which is 2.5 times higher than that in the official statistics (210,1‰ (95% CI 182.5–239.9)). More than half of PSIs (50.2% (95% CI 43.3–57.1)) were burn wound infections. Conclusion. The following factors were found to be associated with an increased risk of PSIs: burn area >40%, burn severity index >30, SOFA score >4, deep burns, surgery, stay in the ICU for >10 days, artificial ventilation for >1 day, and placement of a central venous catheter or an urinary catheter for >1 day. Most frequently, PSIs were caused by non-fermenting gram-negative bacteria such as Pseudomonas аeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii. Key words: burn injury, purulent septic infections, risk factors, infection control


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S149-S150
Author(s):  
Amanda Rose ◽  
Alan D Gilbertson ◽  
Heather Belacic ◽  
John Crow

Abstract Introduction In response to NIH recommendations and ABA verification standards, a protocol was initiated to screen adult burn patients in an outpatient verified burn center for depression and suicidality. It utilized the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), a widely recognized depression screening tool. The protocol dictated patients scoring 10 or greater, or endorsing the suicide risk question would require further assessment. This project was part of a quality improvement initiative to assess initiating the protocol, identifying at-risk patients, and making appropriate referrals. Methods The initial visit of adults (ages 19 and over) seen over a one year period were retrospectively reviewed. For adults screening positive in the EMR, a Data Collection Form was completed gathering information on PHQ-9 scores, mental health treatment and diagnosis, and burn injuries. Results There were 748 adults seen for an initial visit at the burn center, ages 19–85, 61% men and 39% women. Of those patients, 572 had a PHQ-9 score documented in the EMR, demonstrating a 76% compliance rate with administration. Of those screened, 52 met criteria for inclusion by scoring 10 or greater or endorsing the suicide risk question on the PHQ-9. Scoring ranges on the PHQ-9 were as follows (N=52): 15.4% mild; 50% moderate; 19.2% moderate-severe; and 15.4% severe. Sixty percent of patients endorsed some suicidal ideation. Fifty two percent of patients were documented clearly as being on psychotropic medication or in specialized mental health services. Results were reviewed or discussed with patients in 81% of the initial visit notes. Nineteen of the 52 patients were offered a referral for mental health services. Conclusions Initiating this protocol creates an opportunity to begin conversations about mental health and offer additional support to patients. Approximately 9% of the outpatients screened at the burn center endorsed significant symptoms of depression and or suicidal ideation. Nearly half of these patients were not actively receiving treatment for these symptoms and could potentially benefit from mental health services. This project highlighted that compliance with administering and documenting the PHQ-9 and referral for follow-up services could be improved at this institution. Applicability of Research to Practice This protocol supports the need for continued evaluation and screening for depression and suicide risk in adult burn patients. Consideration should be given for monitoring other mental health conditions that could create barriers to care or compliance with treatment, such as anxiety, PTSD, psychosis, etc.


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