Joan Wilson

Clinical utility and economic impact of introducing a bowel management system.

PURPOSE The primary objective of this study was to compare rates of urinary tract and soft tissue infections in critically ill burn patients before and following introduction of a Bowel Management System (BMS). We also analyzed the economic impact of the BMS as compared to reactive management of fecal soiling via cleansing and dressing changes. METHODS AND MATERIALS A retrospective case-matched before-after study was completed. Critically ill burn patients using a BMS were matched with similar patients managed before introduction of the device based on gender, total body surface area burned, burn location, ventilation days, and hospital length of stay. RESULTS Reductions in hospital-acquired urinary tract infections and skin and soft tissue infections were observed after introduction of the BMS. Despite its initial cost, it proved more cost effective than a reactive bowel management strategy based on cleansing and dressing changes when fecal soiling occurs. CONCLUSIONS Proactive use of a bowel management device appears to reduce some infectious sequelae in a complicated burn care population and proved cost-effective for our facility.

A retrospective study to determine the incidence of pressure ulcers in burn patients using an alternating pressure mattress

In immobilized patients, unrelieved pressure can create decubitus ulcers over bony prominences. Those burn patients who require prolonged bed rest, are prone to the development of such problems. Various methods of reducing pressure on these areas, including frequent turning and the use of air fluidized and low air loss beds, have been adopted to attempt to prevent the development of this complication. The Pegasus Renaissance alternating pressure mattress is such a device, intended to reduce the incidence of decubitus ulcers. It was introduced at our burn unit and evaluated over a 29-month period. During the study period, 186 (13.4%) of 1390 acutely burned patients, believed to be at high risk for the development of decubiti, were placed on this mattress. Other patients were treated in the standard hospital bed. Care was otherwise the same. No decubitus ulcers developed in any of the patients treated on the Pegasus Renaissance mattress.

A retrospective study to determine the incidence of pressure ulcers in burn patients using a low air loss pressure relieving mattress

In immobilized patients, unrelieved pressure can create decubitus ulcers over bony prominences. Those burn patients who require prolonged bed rest, are prone to the development of such problems. Various methods of reducing pressure on these areas, including frequent turning and the use of air fluidized and low air loss beds, have been adopted to attempt to prevent the development of this complication. The Pegasus Renaissance alternating pressure mattress is such a device, intended to reduce the incidence of decubitus ulcers. It was introduced at our burn unit and evaluated over a 29-month period. During the study period, 186 (13.4%) of 1390 acutely burned patients, believed to be at high risk for the development of decubiti, were placed on this mattress. Other patients were treated in the standard hospital bed. Care was otherwise the same. No decubitus ulcers developed in any of the patients treated on the Pegasus Renaissance mattress.

A retrospective review of clinical experience with daptomycin for a variety of wound types in a burn and wound care facility.

Objective: Daptomycin is a novel antibiotic with activity against many Gram-positive organisms that has demonstrated efficacy in the management of skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs). However, data regarding the use of daptomycin for the management of burn wound infections are lacking. We assessed the efficacy and safety of daptomycin in the treatment of complicated skin and soft tissue infections (cSSTIs), including burn wound infections. Methods: We performed a retrospective review of patients receiving daptomycin for burn wound infections and other cSSTIs in a referral burn and wound treatment center. Results: Our review revealed an overall success rate (microbiological cure + clinically improved) of 99.5%, with an overall success rate of 98.5% among burn patients, specifically. The overall success rate was 100% among patients in the three other diagnosis groups (cSSTIs, chronic wounds, and other infections). A success rate of 98% was noted among the subset of patients with wounds associated with bacteremia. Conclusions: Our study suggests that daptomycin is a safe and effective agent for the management of burn wound infections, although further study is warranted to confirm these results.