Management of burns in the ICU

Author(s):  
Shahriar Shahrokhi ◽  
Marc G. Jeschke

Outcomes of burn patients have significantly improved over the last two decades. A recent study in The Lancet showed that a burn size of over 60% total body surface area (TBSA) burned is now recognized as being associated with high risks; a decade ago similar risks resulted from a 40% TBSA burned. Similar data have been obtained in severely-burned adults and the elderly. This chapter discusses current standards, recent evidence, and future developments in burn care to improve outcomes of these patients. Critical components in the management of patients with burns are early adequate resuscitation, recognition and management of airway burns and appropriate treatment of the different stages of burn care—prehospital, early, and late management.

Author(s):  
Nathan E Bodily ◽  
Elizabeth H Bruenderman ◽  
Neal Bhutiani ◽  
Selena The ◽  
Jessica E Schucht ◽  
...  

Abstract Patients with burn injuries are often initially transported to centers without burn capabilities, requiring subsequent transfer to a higher level of care. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of this treatment delay on outcomes. Adult burn patients meeting American Burn Association (ABA) criteria for transfer at a single burn center were retrospectively identified. A total of 122 patients were evenly divided into two cohorts – those directly admitted to a burn center from the field, versus those transferred to a burn center from an outlying facility. There was no difference between the transfer and direct admit cohorts with respect to age, percent total body surface area burned, concomitant injury, or intubation prior to admission. Transfer patients experienced a longer median time from injury to burn center admission (1 vs. 8 hours, p &lt, 0.01). Directly admitted patients were more likely to have inhalation burn (18 vs. 4, p &lt, 0.01), require intubation after admission (10 vs. 2, p = 0.03), require an emergent procedure (18 vs. 5, p &lt, 0.01), and develop infectious complications (14 vs. 5, p = 0.04). There was no difference in ventilator days, number of operations, length of stay, or mortality. The results suggest that significantly injured, high acuity burn patients were more likely to be immediately identified and taken directly to a burn center. Patients who otherwise met ABA criteria for transfer were not affected by short delays in transfer to definitive burn care.


Author(s):  
Ryan K Ota ◽  
Maxwell B Johnson ◽  
Trevor A Pickering ◽  
Warren L Garner ◽  
T Justin Gillenwater ◽  
...  

Abstract For critically ill burn patients without a next of kin, the medical team is tasked with becoming the surrogate decision maker. This poses ethical and legal challenges for burn providers. Despite this frequent problem, there has been no investigation of how the presence of a next of kin affects treatment in burn patients. To evaluate this relationship, a retrospective chart review was performed on a cohort of patients who died during the acute phase of their burn care. Variables collected included age, gender, length of stay, total body surface area, course of treatment, and presence of a next of kin. In total, 67 patients met the inclusion criteria. Of these patients, 14 (21%) did not have a next of kin involved in medical decisions. Patients without a next of kin were significantly younger (P = .02), more likely to be homeless (P < .01), had higher total body surface area burns (P = .008), had shorter length of stay (P < .001), and were five times less likely to receive comfort care (P = .01). Differences in gender and ethnicity were not statistically significant. We report that patients without a next of kin present to participate in medical decisions are transitioned to comfort care less often despite having a higher burden of injury. This disparity in standard of care demonstrates a need for a cultural shift in burn care to prevent the suffering of these marginalized patients. Burn providers should be empowered to reduce suffering when no decision maker is present.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 476
Author(s):  
Ioana Tichil ◽  
Samara Rosenblum ◽  
Eldho Paul ◽  
Heather Cleland

Objective: To determine blood transfusion practices, risk factors, and outcomes associated with the use of blood products in the setting of the acute management of burn patients at the Victorian Adult Burn Service. Background: Patients with burn injuries have variable transfusion requirements, based on a multitude of factors. We reviewed all acute admissions to the Victorian Adult Burns Service (VABS) between 2011 and 2017: 1636 patients in total, of whom 948 had surgery and were the focus of our analysis. Method and results: Patient demographics, surgical management, transfusion details, and outcome parameters were collected and analyzed. A total of 175 patients out of the 948 who had surgery also had a blood transfusion, while 52% of transfusions occurred in the perioperative period. The median trigger haemoglobin in perioperative was 80mg/dL (IQR = 76–84.9 mg/dL), and in the non-perioperative setting was 77 mg/dL (IQR = 71.61–80.84 mg/dL). Age, gender, % total body surface area (TBSA) burn, number of surgeries, and intensive care unit and hospital length of stay were associated with transfusion. Conclusions: The use of blood transfusions is an essential component of the surgical management of major burns. As observed in our study, half of these transfusions are related to surgical procedures and may be influenced by the employment of blood conserving strategies. Furthermore, transfusion trigger levels in stable patients may be amenable to review and reduction. Risk adjusted analysis can support the implementation of blood transfusion as a useful quality indicator in burn care.


Author(s):  
Audrey Marie O'Neil ◽  
Cassandra Rush ◽  
Laura Griffard ◽  
David Roggy ◽  
Allison Boyd ◽  
...  

Abstract Early mobilization with mechanically ventilated patients has received significant attention within recent literature, however limited research has focused specifically on the burn population. The purpose of this single center, retrospective analysis was to review the use of a burn critical care mobility algorithm, to determine safety and feasibility of a burn vented mobility program, share limitations preventing mobility progression at our facility, and discuss unique challenges to vented mobility with intubated burn patients. A retrospective review was completed for all intubated burn center admissions between January 2015 to December 2019. Burn Therapy notes were then reviewed for data collection, during the intubation period, using stages of the mobility algorithm. In 5 years following initial implementation, the vented mobility algorithm was utilized on 127 patients with an average total body surface area of 22.8%. No adverse events occurred. Stage 1 (Range of motion) was completed with 100% of patients (n=127). Chair mode of bed, stage 2a, was utilized in 39.4%(n=50) of patients, while 15.8% (n=20) of patients were dependently transferred to the cardiac chair in stage 2b. Stage 3 (sitting on the edge-of-bed) was completed with 25% (n=32) of patients, with 11% (n=14) progressing to stage 5 (standing), and 3.9% (n=5) actively transferring to a chair. In 5 years, only 4.7% (n=6) reached stage 6 (ambulation). The most common treatment limitations were medical complications (33%) and line placement (21%). Early mobilization during mechanical ventilation is safe and feasible within the burn population, despite challenges including airway stability, sedation, and line limitations.


2017 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 41
Author(s):  
Alia E. Al-Ubadi

Association between Procalcitonin (PCT) and C-reactive protein (CRP) and burn injury was evaluated in 80 burned patients from Al-Kindy and Imam Ali hospitals in Baghdad-Iraq. Patients were divided into two groups, survivor group 56 (70%) and non-survivor group 24 (30%). PCT was estimated using (Human Procalcitonin ELISA kit) provided by RayBio/USA while CRP was performed using a latex agglutination kit from Chromatest (Spain). Our results declared that the mean of Total Body Surface Area (TBSA %) affected were 63.5% range (36%–95%) in non-survivor patients, while 26.5% range (10%–70%) in survivor patients. There is a significant difference between the two groups (P = 0.00), the higher mean percentage of TBSA has a significant association with mortality. Serum PCT and CRP were measured at the three times of sampling (within the first 48hr following admission, after 5thdays and after 10th days). The mean of PCT serum concentrations in non-survivor group (2638 ± 3013pg/ml) were higher than that of survivor group (588 ± 364pg/ml). Significantly high levels of CRP were found between the survivor and non-survivor groups especially in the 10th day of admission P=0.000, present study show that significant differences is found within the non-survivor group through the three times P= 0.01, while results were near to significant differences within survivor group through the three times (P= 0.05).


PeerJ ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. e9984
Author(s):  
Shin-Yi Tsai ◽  
Chon-Fu Lio ◽  
Shou-Chuan Shih ◽  
Cheng-Jui Lin ◽  
Yu-Tien Chen ◽  
...  

Background Acute kidney injury (AKI) is one of the most severe complications of burn injury. AKI with severe burn injury causes high mortality. This study aims to investigate the incidence of and predisposing factors for AKI in burn patients. Methods This is a single-center, retrospective, descriptive criterion standard study conducted from June 27, 2015, to March 8, 2016. We used Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes criteria to define and select patients with AKI. The study was conducted by recruiting in hospital patients who suffered from the flammable cornstarch-based powder explosion and were treated under primary care procedures. A total of 49 patients who suffered from flammable dust explosion-related burn injury were enrolled and admitted on June 27, 2015. The patients with more than 20% total body surface area of burn were transferred to the intensive care unit. Patients received fluid resuscitation in the first 24 hours based on the Parkland formula. The primary measurements were the incidence of and predisposing factors for AKI in these patients. Demographic characteristics, laboratory data, and inpatient outcomes were also evaluated. The incidence of AKI in this cohort was 61.2% (n = 30). The mortality rate was 2.0% (n = 1) during a 59-day follow-up period. The multivariate analysis revealed inhalation injury (adjusted OR = 22.0; 95% CI [1.4–358.2]) and meeting ≥3 American Burn Association (ABA) sepsis criteria (adjusted OR = 13.7; 95% CI [1.7–110.5]) as independent risk factors for early advanced AKI. Conclusions The incidence rate of AKI was higher in this cohort than in previous studies, possibly due to the flammable dust explosion-related burn injury. However, the mortality was lower than that expected. In clinical practice, indicators of inflammation, including ABA sepsis criteria may help in predicting the risk of AKI in patients with burn injury.


2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (11) ◽  
pp. 3389-3391
Author(s):  
Imran Khan ◽  
Taimur Khan ◽  
Shakil Asif ◽  
Syed Azhar Ali Kazmi ◽  
Subhan Ullah ◽  
...  

Background and Aim: Burn injuries patients generally suffer from various psychological and mental disorders especially in lower socio-economic groups. It can adversely affect their wellbeing and health. Proper consultation and clinical diagnosis need to be carried out on burns injuries patients from the early critical phase to rehabilitation phase recovery. The current study's aim was to determine the prevalence of psychiatric disorders in burn patients in a tertiary care hospital. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 82 attempted burn suicides, adult patients in Khattak Medical Center Peshawar, Khyber Teaching Hospital Peshawar and Divisional Headquarter hospital, Mirpur AJK for duration of six months from June 2020 to December 2020. All the patients admitted with suicides burns were of either gender and had ages above 15 years. The convenience technique was used for sampling. The patients’ demographic details such as psychiatric illness, self-immolation act motivation, burn injury depth, burn total body surface area, inhalation injury, hospitalization duration, and mortality was recorded on pre-designed proforma. Data analysis was carried out with SPSS version 20. Results: The mean age of all 82 patients was 28.9±5.2 with an age range of 14 to 55 years. Of the total, 66 (80.5%) were female while 16 (19.5%) were male. In this study, the most frequent suicidal attempt was made by the marital conflicted patients 50 (61%) followed by love affair failure 8 (9.7%). An overall mean of 53.6±19.6 was observed for total body surface area affected with a range of 15-100%. The hospital duration mean was 8.2±5.9 with a range of 1-38 days. Young, married, and rural area illiterate housewives were the most common self-inflicted/suicide burn injuries. The prime cause of such injuries was getting married. The mortality rate was found at 82.3%. Conclusion: Our study concluded that patient’s well-being and mental health could be severely affected by burn injuries. Prevalent depression was noted among severe burn injuries patients. Depression related to deformity could be prevented with early grafting, wound management, proper splinting, coping ability, intense physiotherapy, and long-term rehabilitation. Keywords: Burn; Depressed mood, Psychiatric morbidity, Posttraumatic stress disorder


2021 ◽  
Vol 42 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S132-S132
Author(s):  
Shana M Henry ◽  
Nicole M Kopari ◽  
Mary Wolfe

Abstract Introduction California’s Creek Fire is not only the largest single wildfire in a state known for huge and destructive blazes, it spawned two rare fire tornados with winds over 100mph, a day after the fire started in early September. Huntington Lake and Mammoth Pool were the sites of these rare events leading to hundreds of trapped campers. An air rescue operation airlifted hundreds of trapped people to safety. Twenty days after the start of the fire, it had burned >300,000 acres with only 36% containment by fire crews. This review is an evaluation of our hospitals response team and the events surrounding that night. Methods Our on-call surgeon had called in the back-up surgeon to run a second trauma operating room. It was at this time, the news had reported trapped campers near Mammoth Pool. The burn surgeon was notified and reported to the emergency department (ED) as word of 65 possible victims spread. Local disaster response planning was initiated with an ED physician triaging patients at the regional airport. Initial calls were made to the division chief and burn medical director. The nursing director was notified along with any available nursing staff with 8 ICU nurses volunteering to report. Immediately, lateral transfer orders were placed for all burn patients housed in the burn center which has 10 ICU bed capabilities. Results The first helicopter landed with 5 of the burn victims presenting to our hospital. 4 of the victims were male and 1 female with ages ranging from 17 to 27. Total body surface area burn was estimated on each with 2 minor burns < 10% and 3 moderate sized burns of roughly 25%. These patients were quickly triaged in the ED and traumatic injuries evaluated. 3 of the patients were placed in ICU level care with the 2 remaining patients housed in the ED as word trickled in about another rescue effort with an additional 95 people. By morning, an additional 2 patients were transferred to our burn center from the surrounding hospitals and another 2 patients evaluated for burns sustained in separate events. All patients were taken to the operating room over the next 24–48 hours for excision and autologous spray on skin cells (ASCS) in combination with widely meshed skin grafts or ASCS alone. Conclusions Communication, teamwork, and personnel that are dedicated to the care of burn patients made this tragic incident manageable. The Creek Fire hit home for many of the burn staff not only because of the patients that were cared for, but because this area of California was a beloved respite for many. A debriefing with a chaplain, grief counselor, and psychotherapist, was held within 2 weeks of the incident to provide support to the staff during this devastating time.


2021 ◽  
Vol 108 (Supplement_6) ◽  
Author(s):  
M A Sayed ◽  
S Jabeen ◽  
A Soueid

Abstract Aim The main aim and objective were to optimise wound healing through infection prevention. This clinical audit aimed to investigate the effectiveness of burn wound cleansing in decreasing bacterial load by comparing pre-wash and post-wash swab results against local burn wound management and aseptic non touch technique (ANTT) guidelines. Method The audit was conducted retrospectively on children admitted to Burns Unit during August 2019, excluding resuscitation burn patients. Pre- and post-wash swabs taken on admission were included and the results obtained from Chameleon database. Data were collected on excel spread sheets including demographic variables such as age, sex, type of injury, percentage total body surface area (TBSA) and mechanism of injury. Data were analysed and results compiled. Results Fifty patients were admitted over a month period; amongst those 60% were male and 40% female of ages ranging from 5 months to 14 years. Scald (50%) was found to be the most common mode of injury followed by contact burn (36%) involving 0.30 to 9% TBSA. Among 50 patients, 30 (60%) showed no growth in pre-wash and 36 (72%) in post-wash swabs. However, 6% post-wash swabs that were initially negative later showed bacillus cereus, staph aureus, Enterobacter, and Acinetobacter. Similarly, another 4% post-wash swabs developed new microorganisms as compared to pre-wash swabs. Conclusions The most common bacteria colonising both pre- and post-wash swabs was staph aureus. Overall, cleansing had reduced the bacterial load significantly around 82% very effective. It is imperative to stick to local guidelines to reduce morbidity and mortality in burn patients.


2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. S300-S300 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin S Akers ◽  
Taylor Schlotman ◽  
Lee C Mangum ◽  
Gerardo Garcia ◽  
Amanda Wagner ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Infection is the leading cause of death among burn survivors, with sepsis associated with more extensive burns. Conventional diagnostic criteria are insensitive in this population. We examined a novel diagnostic ELISA based on Mannose-Binding Lectin (MBL) linked to an immunoglobulin Fc domain, which measures the concentration of Pathogen-Associated Molecular Patterns (PAMPs) across a broad range of bacterial and fungal organisms, for diagnosis and antimicrobial management of sepsis in burn patients. Methods We prospectively enrolled burn patients with ≥15% Total Body Surface Area (TBSA) burns into groups of noninfected, sepsis, or incipient infection, and healthy volunteers. Sepsis was defined by clinical actions responsive to sepsis. The FcMBL ELISA was performed daily using fresh whole blood. Burn subjects were sampled daily until completing antimicrobials, for 14 days if noninfected, and once for healthy controls. Differences in median PAMP concentrations between groups were assessed with the Kruskal–Wallis test, including multiple comparisons between categories. Results 14 burn patients (3 noninfected, of whom 1 died prior to sampling, 4 Sepsis, 7 Incipient) were enrolled. The median (25–75% CI) PAMP concentration was 0.53 (0.12–1.34) ng/mL in healthy controls, 3.725 (2.53–5.94) ng/mL in noninfected, 2.22 (1.42–4.62) ng/mL in incipient, and 1.59 (0.83–2.29) ng/mL in sepsis groups. PAMP concentrations in sepsis were different (P = 0.0057) from noninfected, but incipient did not differ from noninfected (P = 0.2025). The dynamic range was lower in healthy controls (2.69 ng/mL) than incipient (4.57 ng/mL), sepsis (4.70 ng/mL), or noninfected (5.90 ng/mL). PAMP elevations correlated with clinical deterioration from infection, and were not associated with OR visits for debridement and grafting. 7 of 11 infected patients had declining PAMP levels at completion of antimicrobial therapy. 2 subjects had PAMP elevations associated with Aspergillus molds in their burn wounds. Conclusion The FcMBL ELISA assay may be useful for diagnosis of infection in burn patients, and may facilitate earlier discontinuation of antimicrobials. This assay may also have a novel utility for early diagnosis of Invasive Fungal Infection. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.


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