When a hero becomes a patient: firefighter burn injuries in the National Burn Repository.
When a hero becomes a patient: firefighter burn injuries in the National Burn Repository.
Available online through MWHC library: 2006 - present, Available in print through MWHC library: 2006 - present
Firefighters receive significant training and are outfitted with state-of-the-art protective equipment. However, given the unpredictable nature of their work environment, injuries still occur. The National Burn Repository (NBR) was viewed as a resource for defining the epidemiology of these injuries on a national level and to identify predictive factors for outcomes in this population. The NBR was queried for the occupation of "firefighter" for the years 1990-2008. Records were screened for completeness, and 597 patients were identified for analysis. Data examined included demographics, %TBSA burn, length of stay (LOS), injury circumstance, and disposition. Multiple linear regression models were created to determine factors related to outcome measures. The majority of patients were white (84%) and male (96%). The mean age was 35 years. Most injuries were caused by fire/flame (73%). Only six deaths (1%) were reported. Most injuries were work-related (86%), and most patients were discharged home (92%). Inhalation injury was documented in 9% of patients. The mean LOS was 6.5 +/- 11.3 days (median 2 days), and few patients had critical care requirements. The average %TBSA was 6 +/- 11.7%. Patients with larger injuries had increased LOS. The presence of inhalation injury, elevated carboxyhemoglobin levels, and advancing age were significantly associated with larger burns. From the NBR data, most firefighter burn injuries were small, and few firefighter burn patients required critical care resources or had significant disability. Firefighters comprise a small number of burn center admissions each year, yet they are an important population to consider for burn prevention efforts.
English
1559-047X
*Burns/ep [Epidemiology]
*Burns/et [Etiology]
*Firefighters/sn [Statistics & Numerical Data]
*Occupations
Adult
Age Distribution
Burn Units/ut [Utilization]
Burns/th [Therapy]
Databases, Factual
Female
Hospitalization/sn [Statistics & Numerical Data]
Humans
Incidence
Injury Severity Score
Intensive Care Units/ut [Utilization]
Linear Models
Male
Middle Aged
Multivariate Analysis
Patients
Prognosis
Registries
Retrospective Studies
Risk Assessment
Sex Distribution
Survival Rate
Treatment Outcome
Wound Healing/ph [Physiology]
Young Adult
MedStar Washington Hospital Center
Surgery/Burn Services
Comparative Study
Journal Article
Available online through MWHC library: 2006 - present, Available in print through MWHC library: 2006 - present
Firefighters receive significant training and are outfitted with state-of-the-art protective equipment. However, given the unpredictable nature of their work environment, injuries still occur. The National Burn Repository (NBR) was viewed as a resource for defining the epidemiology of these injuries on a national level and to identify predictive factors for outcomes in this population. The NBR was queried for the occupation of "firefighter" for the years 1990-2008. Records were screened for completeness, and 597 patients were identified for analysis. Data examined included demographics, %TBSA burn, length of stay (LOS), injury circumstance, and disposition. Multiple linear regression models were created to determine factors related to outcome measures. The majority of patients were white (84%) and male (96%). The mean age was 35 years. Most injuries were caused by fire/flame (73%). Only six deaths (1%) were reported. Most injuries were work-related (86%), and most patients were discharged home (92%). Inhalation injury was documented in 9% of patients. The mean LOS was 6.5 +/- 11.3 days (median 2 days), and few patients had critical care requirements. The average %TBSA was 6 +/- 11.7%. Patients with larger injuries had increased LOS. The presence of inhalation injury, elevated carboxyhemoglobin levels, and advancing age were significantly associated with larger burns. From the NBR data, most firefighter burn injuries were small, and few firefighter burn patients required critical care resources or had significant disability. Firefighters comprise a small number of burn center admissions each year, yet they are an important population to consider for burn prevention efforts.
English
1559-047X
*Burns/ep [Epidemiology]
*Burns/et [Etiology]
*Firefighters/sn [Statistics & Numerical Data]
*Occupations
Adult
Age Distribution
Burn Units/ut [Utilization]
Burns/th [Therapy]
Databases, Factual
Female
Hospitalization/sn [Statistics & Numerical Data]
Humans
Incidence
Injury Severity Score
Intensive Care Units/ut [Utilization]
Linear Models
Male
Middle Aged
Multivariate Analysis
Patients
Prognosis
Registries
Retrospective Studies
Risk Assessment
Sex Distribution
Survival Rate
Treatment Outcome
Wound Healing/ph [Physiology]
Young Adult
MedStar Washington Hospital Center
Surgery/Burn Services
Comparative Study
Journal Article