J Korean Burn Soc.  2020 Dec;23(2):42-53. 10.47955/jkbs.20.0012.

A Study on Epidemiological Factors of Burn Patients in Emergency Rooms

• Jung ST
• Ha CM
• Lee HJ
• Jung YY

• KMID: 2508882
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.47955/jkbs.20.0012

Abstract

Purpose
It is important to consider both clinical factors and epidemiological factors in treating burn patients in emergency rooms. However, many emergency medical staffs happen to miss their chances of treating burns based on these considerations. This study is designed to find a better treatment for burn patients in emergency rooms along this approach.
Methods
This study was conducted based on the data of the burn patients visiting the emergency room of a single general hospital from January 2015 to December 2019. The epidemiological and clinical factors were extracted out of the data, then the relationship between the prognosis and these factors were analyzed.
Results
Most of burn accidents occurred at home, and were caused by hot water, soup, drinks, oil, etc. Especially, flame burns showed high hospitalization rate, surgical rate and mortality. In addition, their prognosis was poor when the affected area included facial, limb and perineal areas etc., or any inhalation burn co-existed. Also, the hospitalization rate and period increased when the treatment time was delayed or the pre-treatment was taken. There was a strong relationship between prognosis and the period of follow-up when patients were admitted during the period.
Conclusion
It is difficult for medical staffs to evaluate prognosis of burns in emergency rooms due to progressive damages. Precise treatment and disposition are essential for patients’ good prognosis. Therefore, medical staffs should establish treatment plans by identifying the patient’s epidemiological and clinical factors, rather than giving prescriptions based on fragmentary and superficial symptoms.

Keyword

Burn; Epidemiology; Prevention; Prognosis