Eur. Burn J., Volume 5, Issue 3 (September 2024) – 4 articles

Burn mass casualty event occurrences are rare but will place significant burdens on any burn unit or healthcare system. Effective disaster preparedness plays a significant role in mitigating the aftermath of a burn mass casualty. The aim of this study was to assess the resource requirements during the initial two weeks of a burn mass casualty event. Eight patients in a burn mass casualty event were simulated using the Emergo Train System^®. These simulated patients were matched with real historical patients treated in our burn centre, and their resource requirements were analysed. An average of eight staff is required to care for a patient per day along with almost 75 h of operating time (excluding anaesthesia and turnover time). A substantial quantity of consumables was used in the first two weeks. This study has demonstrated the substantial material consumption and staff requirements in the first two weeks of management in a burn mass casualty event. Such findings will offer valuable insight for disaster preparedness planning and resource management strategies. Full article

Burn care quality indicators are used to monitor and improve quality of care and for benchmark purposes. The perspectives of burn survivors, however, are not included in current sets of quality indicators while patient-centred care gains importance. The aim of this study was to explore burn survivors’ perspectives on quality aspects of burn care, which was used to translate their perspectives into patient-centred quality of care indicators. Qualitative descriptive research was conducted in a patient panel group. First, thematic analysis was applied to the focus groups to identify overarching themes. Second, patient-centred quality indicators, informed by burn survivors’ valued aspects of care, were defined. Ten burn survivors with an average age of 54 years (SD = 11; range 38–72 years) and mean TBSA burned of 14% (SD = 11%; range 5–35%) participated in two focus groups. Four overarching themes were identified, pointing to the importance of (1) information tailored to the different phases of recovery, (2) significant others’ wellbeing and involvement, (3) a therapeutic relationship and low-threshold access to healthcare professionals and (4) to participate in decision-making. Eighteen patient-centred process quality of care indicators within nine aspects of care were formulated. The overarching themes are reflected in patient-centred quality indicators, which present a broadened and complementary view of existing clinical quality indicators for burn care. Evaluating these patient-centred quality indicators may increase quality of care and refine patient-centred care. Full article

Burn injuries are among the most traumatic events a person can endure, often causing significant psychological dysfunction and severe pain. Hypnosis shows promise as a complementary intervention to manage pain and reduce the psychological distress associated with burn injury and treatment. This paper reviews the literature regarding hypnosis and potential applications of hypnosis in the management of burns. Hypnosis offers an effective, low-cost intervention that is widely applicable in the management of burns and can play a role in more acute and austere settings where resources are often limited. Full article

Scars following burns can often prove complex to manage, particularly when crossing joints or special areas such as the head and neck, due to contractures. This case report discusses the individualised care and rehabilitation provided to a burn patient with a learning disability. The patient suffered both full and partial thickness burns equating to a total body surface area (%TBSA) of 7% of the face, neck, and anterior chest via the self-ignition of clothing. Acute treatment was provided at a regional burn unit followed by further in-patient care and rehabilitation at our burn facility. A motion rehabilitation instrument was employed to manage potential orofacial contracture; however, due to the patient’s impaired social functioning, this device was found to be unsuitable. Subsequently, a bespoke mouth-opening device replicating an ice lolly was fabricated utilising computer-aided design (CAD), enhancing the patient’s understanding along with encouraging independence. Microstomia was a risk in this case; however, this was prevented via the discussed regime, and successful patient rehabilitation was achieved. Full article