"Leading Wound Care Experts to Discuss Benefits of Manuka Honey in Wound Treatment"
"Helix BioMedix to Discuss Potential of Its Proprietary Peptides at the BIO International Convention"
"Burn Center Closures 'Not as Bad as It Sounds'"
"Searching for Alleles Associated With Complicated Outcomes After Burn Injury"
"Derderian Serving Community Service at Burn Group, Fire Rescue"
"Senate Passes Bill Requiring Self-Extinguishing Cigarettes"
"Flaggs Wants Governor to Help Fund Burn Center"
"Electrical and Lightning Injuries"
"Work Safely, Work Smart"
"Redstone Donates $35 Million to Mass. General Burn Unit and ER"
"Fire-Safe Cigarettes Bill Signed Into Law"
"Disney Recalls Baby Einstein Pajamas"
"Know How to Fire Up Your Extinguisher"
"Standard Operating Procedures for the Clinical Management of Patients Enrolled in a Prospective Study of Inflammation ..."

"Leading Wound Care Experts to Discuss Benefits of Manuka Honey in Wound Treatment"
Biotech Week (05/02/07) P. 658

Several presentations at the American Professional Wound Care Association's 2007 National Clinical Conference in April focused on the use of Active Manuka Honey in treating infections in complex wounds and burns. Two presentations were given by microbiologist Rose Cooper and clinical nurse specialist Val Robson on the antibacterial properties of honey in all phases of wound healing. Cooper and Robson's presentations were the first on the topic of honey for medical use to be given at any major U.S.-based wound conference, although discussions on the topic at European Wound Management Association and Wounds-U.K. conferences took place in 2006. Medical honey products are currently available on drug tariff in the United Kingdom, and Derma Sciences has announced a licensing agreement with New Zealand medical-honey producer Comvita LTD. Derma Sciences Vice President Barry Wolfenson said that Active Manuka Honey is effective against infectious agents that have developed resistance to antibiotics, and much safer than topical ionic-silver treatments, which are toxic and also lack randomized controlled trials demonstrating their safety and efficacy. Such a trial on Active Manuka Honey will be conducted in Ireland later this year.

"Helix BioMedix to Discuss Potential of Its Proprietary Peptides at the BIO International Convention"
Healthcare Finance, Tax & Law Weekly (05/02/07) P. 482

Helix BioMedix has announced continuing innovations in its work with lipohexapeptide technology, which can, in topical form, be used as an anti-infective for a broad range of burns and other wounds. Lipohexapeptides can be useful in treating infections caused by pathogens that are resistant to multiple other types of antibiotics, such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a pathogen that commonly infects burns. According to Helix BioMedix Chief Scientific Officer Timothy Falla, the "new generation" of lipohexapeptides are less toxic, more efficacious, and have a better cost of goods than previous attempts to use antimicrobial peptides as anti-infective agents.

"Burn Center Closures 'Not as Bad as It Sounds'"
Inside Bay Area (CA) (05/01/07) Vesely, Rebecca

As the number of injuries and fatalities from fires has declined in the past decade, so too have the number of burn centers in Northern California. There are currently only three burn centers that treat adults in Northern California: one at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center in San Jose, one at the University of California at Davis Medical Center, and one at Saint Francis Memorial Hospital in San Francisco. As a result of the closure of three burn centers in the San Francisco Bay area since the early 1990s, these regional burn centers now often exceed their capacity. Linda Gillespie, a spokeswoman for Saint Francis, which is a 10-unit burn center, said her facility may be increasing the number of beds because of the high number of patients. Meanwhile, UC Davis is expanding its burn center from eight beds to 12 beds, and upgrading its wound care physical therapy and outpatient facilities in a new 12,600-square-foot space that is set to open in 2010. Despite the lack of burn specialists in the San Francisco Bay area, disaster preparedness officials say that the situation will not likely cost lives. "It's not as bad as it sounds that we don't have a burn center in Alameda or Contra Costa county, though it's not ideal, certainly," says Dr. James Pointer, director of Alameda County's Emergency Medical Services.

"Searching for Alleles Associated With Complicated Outcomes After Burn Injury"
Journal of Burn Care & Research (04/01/2007) Vol. 28, No. 2, P. 205; Barber, Robert C.; Diaz-Arrastia, Ramon; Purdue, Gary F.

Researchers studying burn pathophysiology want to be able to recognize patients with an increased susceptibility to infectious complications like sepsis, which produces a case-fatality rate of 30 percent to 50 percent when attended by organ failure. Because individuals may be genetically predisposed to such complications, researchers are eager to determine which allelic variants and genes play a part in patient risk. Doing so would allow researchers to identify and monitor patients at risk, as well as to develop new therapies based on molecular targets. However, without enough data, statistical analysis will yield few results, and slow patient accumulation makes it difficult to generate a large sample size. Therefore, "collaborative patient enrollment" and new analytical methods are needed to determine risk factors for post-burn-injury sepsis and death, explain the researchers, noting that patient benefits outweigh the obstacles.

"Derderian Serving Community Service at Burn Group, Fire Rescue"
AM New York (04/25/07)

The owner of a Rhode Island nightclub that caught fire during a stage performance, leaving 100 people dead, is performing his community service with a national burn survivors' group. Jeffrey Derderian, who was ordered to complete 500 hours of community service as part of his sentence, is volunteering with the Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors and a fire and rescue company. A former television reporter, Derderian will conduct grant research at the Phoenix Society and help put together a media campaign for a cross-country bike ride to benefit burn survivors. Derderian was found guilty of 100 counts of involuntary manslaughter for the Feb. 20, 2003, fire that broke out at The Station nightclub after pyrotechnics during a stage show set fire to foam lining the club's walls.

"Senate Passes Bill Requiring Self-Extinguishing Cigarettes"
WHO-TV13 (Des Moines, IA) (04/25/07)

The Iowa Senate has passed legislation that would require merchants in the state to sell self-extinguishing cigarettes, and the bill is expected to be passed into law once it reaches the desk of Gov. Chet Culver. The bill, which was sponsored by Sen. Bill Dotzler (D-Waterloo), would require merchants to begin selling self-extinguishing cigarettes by Jan. 1, 2009. The bill aims to prevent fires that are started by people who fall asleep with a lit cigarette; self-extinguishing cigarettes feature two safety bands that put the cigarette out if it is left unattended. If the bill is passed into law, Iowa would become the ninth U.S. state to pass a fire-safe cigarette law.

"Flaggs Wants Governor to Help Fund Burn Center"
Vicksburg Post (04/25/07) Bryant, Paul

State Rep. George Flaggs Jr. (D-Vicksburg) is urging Mississippi's governor to designate $10 million for the establishment of a burn unit at Jackson's University Medical Center. Though the State House and Senate have approved a new facility, they have not provided funding. A burn unit would cost $5 million annually, according to UMC Chancellor Dan Jones. Flaggs' efforts are inspired by the care his father received at the Mississippi Firefighters Memorial Burn Center in Greenville after suffering burns from an explosion at a chemical company. However, the state closed the Greenville center in 2005 amid staffing issues and a funding debacle. Now, Mississippi burn patients in need of intensive treatment are transported to neighboring states. According to the state Department of Health, Mississippi leads the nation in fire-related fatalities and yet is one of eight states without a burn trauma unit. As Mississippi contemplates opening a second nuclear reactor, a burn center is needed more than ever, and 80 percent of Mississippi's citizens "say we need a burn center," declares Flaggs.

"Electrical and Lightning Injuries"
Journal of Burn Care & Research (04/01/2007) Vol. 28, No. 2, P. 255

Hemmat Maghsoudi and colleagues studied electrical injuries to understand their complications, mechanisms, mortality, and morbidity. Over a five-year period, electrical burn injuries affected 202 patients of the 5,052 patients admitted with acute burns; almost all patients were male (ninety-eight percent), and their average age was 27.5 years. The scope of the injuries ranged from 1 percent to 70 percent TBSA. Just over half of the electrical injuries were caused by high-voltage electricity, 42 percent by low-voltage currents, and 4 percent by lightning. Most of the high-voltage injuries were sustained while the individuals were scaling power poles. The average hospital stay lasted approximately 14 days, and a total of 217 surgeries were performed on the 202 patients. Four patients had cardiac complications, four patients passed away, and 15 patients needed amputation. The researchers concluded that electrical burn injuries are a significant issue in modern society, and are in need of special preventative measures.

"Work Safely, Work Smart"
Staten Island Advance (04/19/07) P. C6; Presutti, Michael

Although carbon-based organic solvents are widely used in paints, glues, cleaning agents, gardening products, and other items, they pose a risk of explosion and fire. Most materials containing organic solvents are flammable liquids that feature flash points of temperatures below 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The flash point is the point at which a vapor emitted from a liquid will ignite when it comes in contact with oxygen and a combustion trigger such as a furnace pilot light. Houses can easily burn down if a refinisher forgets to shut off such combustion sources prior to using solvent-based polyurethane, for example. Such products carry warning labels and usage instructions, but it is always advisable to store or use organic solvent-based products away from heat and ignition sources and avoid breathing the fumes. These solvents also have the ability to burn the eyes and be absorbed by the skin, so if contact occurs, the area should be washed thoroughly. Prior to working on a task involving the products, a person should gauge whether there is a way to complete the task without creating a hazard, such as substituting a compatible non-solvent based product or working outside.

"Redstone Donates $35 Million to Mass. General Burn Unit and ER"
Boston Globe (04/18/07) Kowalczyk, Liz

The Massachusetts General Hospital burn unit has received another donation from media mogul Sumner Redstone. The hospital received a $35 million gift overall, $20 million of which it plans to use for research in burn and trauma care, as well as for renovations; the remaining $15 million will go to the hospital's emergency department. In 1979, the hospital treated Redstone for third-degree burns that he suffered in a hotel fire in Boston, and he nearly died. Redstone, 83, sees the emergency room as an extension of the burn unit, because burn patients are likely to be stabilized there. "Advancements in research and medical science are creating a better world and a higher quality of life for all of us," says Redstone in a statement. "Like many, I have personally benefited from these advancements."

"Fire-Safe Cigarettes Bill Signed Into Law"
Statesman Journal (Salem, Oregon) (04/17/07) P. 3; Law, Steve

On April 17, Oregon became the latest U.S. state to place a fire-safe cigarette law on the books. Gov. Ted Kulongoski signed House Bill 2163, which requires merchants and tobacco firms to market and sell self-extinguishing cigarettes. The bill aims to prevent fires started by smokers who fall asleep or who throw cigarettes out car windows. "Today we are taking a major step to increase the safety of all Oregonians from accidental fires due to unattended cigarettes," Kulongoski said.

"Disney Recalls Baby Einstein Pajamas"
CNNMoney (04/17/07)

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in conjunction with the Disney Store, has declared a recall of Baby Einstein caterpillar sleepwear and Baby Einstein duck sleepwear. The pajamas could put children at risk for burn injury, because the sleepwear fails to comply with the children's flammability standard. No injuries or incidents have been reported, but consumers are urged to stop using the products at once, and to return the recalled sleepwear to any Disney Store for a complete refund. The recall involves pajamas in sizes 12 months and 18 months. The sleepwear was sold at Disney Stores across the country during April 2006 and May 2006.

"Know How to Fire Up Your Extinguisher"
Toronto Star (04/14/07) P. C2; Brown, Jennifer

Only 10 percent of people surveyed by the Office of the Ontario Fire Marshal (OFM) last year said that they used a fire extinguisher to put out a stovetop fire, compared with 18 percent who said they used water. According to Dave Horne, a fire-protection engineer with the Toronto-based OFM, the low percentage of people who use fire extinguishers to put out stovetop fires could be reflective of the fact that many people are intimidated by the devices. "It's one of the things that scares me the most," he said. "In an emergency, people expect they can remove the pin, squeeze the handle, aim, and be the appropriate distance away and do the sweeping motion--it's not all that easy." Horne noted that although fire extinguishers do a good job putting out small fires, people need to know the limitations of a portable fire extinguisher, as well as how and when to use them and what kind of fire the extinguisher is rated to put out. Most importantly, people must know how important it is to have a complete fire safety plan and escape route in place, just in case the fire cannot be contained with a fire extinguisher, Horne said. Toronto Fire Services spokesman Brian Stewart emphasizes the need to teach people the PASS system for using fire extinguishers: Pull the pin, Aim at the fire's base, Squeeze the lever slowly, and Sweep the extinguisher back and forth.

"Standard Operating Procedures for the Clinical Management of Patients Enrolled in a Prospective Study of Inflammation ..."
Journal of Burn Care & Research (04/01/2007) Vol. 28, No. 2, Silver, Geoffrey M.; Klein, Mathew B.

As part of an initiative by the National Institutes of General Medical Sciences, researchers created 10 standard operating procedures (SOPs) to create a uniform standard of patient care for burn survivors in 10 different treatment areas. The researchers found that these SOPs could be implemented with only minor changes in clinical practice patterns, and with some additional training for staff. SOPs did not require new technology purchases or any significant expansion of clinical resources. SOPs used current patient-care management strategies in various studies to reduce variation in patient management as part of an Inflammation and the Host Response to Injury study. While a single SOP could have been crafted, it was found that 10 slightly modified SOPs would be more useful and applicable for 10 different areas of clinical care.

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