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"Microwaves Pose Burn Injury Risk to Small Children"
"NFPA Announces Coordinated Campaign to Increase Number of Homes Protected by Sprinklers"
"Research From L. LaSalle and Co-Researchers Yields New Findings on Pruritus Prevention"
"Strategies for Preventing Gastrointestinal Complications in Severely Burned Patients"
"Insulin Resistance Postburn: Underlying Mechanisms and Current Therapeutic Strategies"
"Bali Bombing Survivor Backs National Burns Register"
"North Carolina Insurance Department Hosts International Burn Conference"
"Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder in Children With Burn Injuries"
"Fund Trauma Care With Extra Fees On Insurance?"
"Fire Prevention Starts at Home"
"Firefighters Use Talking Hydrant, Clowns and Puppets to Teach Youngsters About Safety"
"Rock Drummer Released From Ga. Burn Hospital"
"Investigators at University Hospital, Department of Plastic Surgery Have Published New Data on Life Sciences"
"Research From University of Amsterdam, Department of Cardiology in the Area of Burn Care Published"
"General Hospital Reports Research in Burn Care"

"Microwaves Pose Burn Injury Risk to Small Children"
Reuters (10/07/08) Harding, Anne

Most young children who are admitted to the University of Chicago Burn Center are treated for scald injuries, but tap-water scalds account for just a fraction of scald injuries. Efforts to prevent scald injury continue to focus on tap-water scalds, but records from the University of Chicago Burn Center show that hot foods or liquids from microwave ovens were the fourth leading cause of burn-related ER visits and hospitalizations in children under five. Dr. Gina Lowell of Rush University Medical Center in Chicago and her colleagues reviewed 140 cases of scald injuries, and 104 did not involve tap water. The researchers found that 90.4 percent were from hot foods or liquids; 16.3 percent (17 injuries) occurred when an older child was cooking, carrying the hot substance or supervising the injured child; and 8.7 percent (9 injuries) involved children who had opened the microwave themselves and removed the substance inside. One injured child was only 18 months old. "Most parents feel like they've got it covered … and yet we see all of these scald burns that happen to children," says Lowell.

"NFPA Announces Coordinated Campaign to Increase Number of Homes Protected by Sprinklers"
Targeted News Service (10/06/08)

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) on Oct. 6 announced its plans to launch a campaign to put more sprinklers into homes. This marks the second major campaign the association has coordinated recently. This movement will, among other things, encourage local jurisdictions to adopt mandatory sprinkler codes, provide resources to undergird the implementation of sprinkler requirements throughout the country, and establish an online community for people who are interested in expanding home sprinkler use. NFPA President James M. Shannon said the association, over an 18-month period, sponsored a series of focus groups to get input from fire fighting professionals on issues that would require a strong coordinated effort in order to mitigate fire fatalities and injuries. "The sentiment of the groups was overwhelmingly in favor of a major initiative for home fire sprinklers," said Shannon. According to the NFPA, sprinklers and home alarms reduce the risk of death by fire by more than 80 percent. The campaign is aimed at getting more of these appliances in homes, where 80 percent of all fire deaths occur, according to NFPA research.

"Research From L. LaSalle and Co-Researchers Yields New Findings on Pruritus Prevention"
Pharma Investments, Ventures & Law Weekly (10/05/08) P. 2027; LaSalle, L.

Traditional burn injury therapy has not adequately addressed the problem of severe itching among burn survivors, but a new study from researchers in Montreal found that the use of naltrexone is effective for itch relief after a burn injury. The study involved 13 burn patients who did not find relief with traditional therapy and were offered naltrexone, an opioid antagonist. Nearly three-fourths of patients said they were satisfied with the itch relief, 69 percent were able to stop taking other anti-itch medications, and 85 percent said they would recommend it to others. Researchers concluded that naltrexone has a positive impact on itching and warrants further controlled trials.

"Strategies for Preventing Gastrointestinal Complications in Severely Burned Patients"
Hospital Business Week (10/05/08) P. 1074; Xia, Zhaofan

Gastrointestinal function is often impaired after a severe burn, leading to complications such as systemic inflammatory response syndrome, sepsis, and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome. A new study from Chinese researchers shows that several newly developed therapies have a positive impact on burn-related gastrointestinal complications. The study of 219 patients with large area burns in the past 20 years found that fluid resuscitation, early escharectomy, continuous renal replacement therapy, and use of glutamine and growth factor helped to prevent gastrointestinal complications and lower mortality among burn survivors.

"Insulin Resistance Postburn: Underlying Mechanisms and Current Therapeutic Strategies"
Journal of Burn Care & Research (10/01/2008) Vol. 29, No. 5, P. 683; Gauglitz, Gerd G.; Herndon, David N.; Jeschke, Marc G.

The extreme hypermetabolic response to burn injury is related to insulin resistance and hyperglycemia, substantially contributing to the morbidity and mortality rate in this patient population. While such responses exist in all trauma, surgical, or dangerously ill patients, the severity, length, and significance is different for burn patients. While progress in therapeutic strategies to reduce the postburn hypermetabolic response has greatly improved the clinical prognosis of these patients during recent years, therapeutic efforts to overcome stress-induced hyperglycemia are still challenging. Intensive insulin therapy has been proven to substantially lower morbidity and mortality rates in very ill patients. High rates of hypoglycemic events and challenging blood glucose titrations have resulted in examination of other methods, including the utilization of metformin, a biguanide, or fenofibrate, a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-[gamma] agonist. However, weaknesses and possible side effects of these medications emphasize the need for increased comprehension of the molecular mechanisms underlying insulin resistance postburn that may result in innovative therapeutic strategies, thereby improving the outlook of these patients.

"Bali Bombing Survivor Backs National Burns Register"
Australian (10/03/08) Cresswell, Adam

A burns register that experts believe has the potential to keep thousands of Australians safe received $150,000 from the Julian Burton Burns Trust; the money is sufficient to launch the center and fund it for the first two years. Burton, CEO of the trust, experienced third-degree burns over 23 percent of his body when a bomb went off at the Sari Club in Kuta, Indonesia, six years ago. The goal of the register is to gather information on all burn injuries taking place in domestic, workplace, and road traffic accidents in Australia and New Zealand. The register should provide experts with the first reliable, national illustration of what kinds of burns are occurring in various areas of the nation so that prevention programs can be targeted correctly. Eventually, it is expected to supply doctors with better evidence of which treatments are most effective for certain kinds of burns. According to the trust's calculations, 200,000 Australians experience a burn injury every year, costing $300 million. Peter Maitz, education chairman of the Australian and New Zealand Burns Association, says burn prevention is important due to the cost and suffering brought about by burns.

"North Carolina Insurance Department Hosts International Burn Conference"
Insurance Journal (10/01/08)

The North Carolina Department of Insurance Office of State Fire Marshal and the UNC Healthcare Jaycee Burn Center co-hosted this year's World Burn Congress in Raleigh, N.C, from Oct. 1 to 4. Over 650 members of the burn community, such as survivors, caregivers, burn professionals, and fire fighters, attended the world's largest conference devoted to burn recovery. Attendees receive support and understanding, and are encouraged to move forward in their recoveries. They also get the chance to talk with others who have been through a burn trauma.

"Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder in Children With Burn Injuries"
Journal of Burn Care & Research (10/01/2008) Vol. 29, No. 5, P. 724; Badger, Karen; Anderson, Lori; Kagan, Richard J.

A study investigating the characteristics of children with burns who were also diagnosed with attention deficit disorder (ADD) or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) was performed to identify and better comprehend the risk factors for such injuries and to help guide future burn prevention and education initiatives for children who suffer from these disorders. Forty-four children who were diagnosed with ADD or ADHD at the time of their injury were measured against a random sample of 59 injured children without the diagnosis of ADD or ADHD, while patient demographics, cause of burn, length of hospitalization, engagement in high risk behavior at the time of injury, presence of other developmental, mental health diagnoses, and/or school behavior problems were among the variables analyzed. A significantly greater incidence of mental health and school behavior problems was observed among the ADD or ADHD group, as was a significantly greater history of high-risk behavior at the time of injury. Furthermore, a higher incidence of school behavior problems was noted among ADD- or ADHD-diagnosed children who also had an additional mental health diagnosis. The researchers conclude that kids with ADD or ADHD who have school behavior problems and/or a penchant for engaging in high-risk behavior may be at greatest risk for burn injuries and are most likely to benefit from educational counseling or other burn prevention modalities.

"Fund Trauma Care With Extra Fees On Insurance?"
Atlanta Journal-Constitution (09/30/08) Schneider, Craig

About 700 people die per year in Georgia due to the state's "spotty" trauma coverage; the state only has about 15 hospitals that specialize in trauma care and those hospitals are losing millions of dollars each year. Georgia Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine plans to study the issue and how trauma care services can be better funded; one of his ideas is to levy fees on car and other insurance to cover trauma services for car accident victims and those injured at work. He notes fees could be assessed on car, workers' compensation, and health insurance. Oxendine does not have a specific fee in mind or a proposal outlined, but plans to issue one when the state legislature returns in January 2009. American Insurance Association Southeast Region spokesperson Julie Pulliam says those additional fees would make their way into consumer premiums. "[This] is double taxation on the most responsible citizens--those who pay their taxes and those who buy car insurance," Pulliam notes.

"Fire Prevention Starts at Home"
Chicago Sun-Times (09/30/08) P. 34; Mather, Sandy

This year's fire prevention theme is "Prevent home fires," a message that will be spread by fire departments and fire safety advocates through October. There were almost 400,000 home fires in 2006, with many people ignoring potential fire hazards. Most potential hazards can be easily corrected if people take simple steps to fireproof their homes. One of the leading causes of home fires is the ignition of food or cooking materials in the kitchen. Heating equipment is also a cause of many home fires, so homeowners should make sure that portable and fixed space heaters are kept away from flammable materials. Electrical problems, including those caused by overloaded outlets and misuse of extension cords, can also cause home fires. People who smoke are also a potential fire hazard, and many bedroom fires are the result of people smoking in bed. Families should take steps to identify potential hazards and fix them before anyone is harmed.

"Firefighters Use Talking Hydrant, Clowns and Puppets to Teach Youngsters About Safety"
ENCToday.com (09/30/08) Sawyer, Francine

For 26 years fire fighters at the New Bern Fire and Rescue Department in New Bern, N.C., have visited area schools to teach fire prevention, giving children a fun and exciting way to learn how to stay safe in a fire. Using fire trucks, a miniature fire safety house, clowns and puppets, and a talking remote-controlled fire hydrant named Pluggie, kids learn tips such as touching a door to see if it is hot and then finding an alternate exit or crawling on the floor to get away from smoke. Children line up excitedly for a tour of the miniature house, which uses safe theatrical smoke to demonstrate a fire situation. "The fire fighters enjoy coming out to the schools and watching the students learn about the dangers of fire and how to prevent those dangers," says New Bern Fire Marshal Henry Watson.

"Rock Drummer Released From Ga. Burn Hospital"
Associated Press (09/29/08)

A Georgia burn hospital has released former Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker several days after a fiery plane crash left him and celebrity disc jockey DJ AM with burn injuries. The Sept. 19 crash claimed the lives of four other passengers. Doctors expect both musicians to make full recoveries.

"Investigators at University Hospital, Department of Plastic Surgery Have Published New Data on Life Sciences"
Biotech Business Week (09/08) P. 1309

In a new study titled "Assessment of Burn Depth and Burn Wound Healing Potential," researchers find that these two titular factors are the most crucial determinants of the effects of therapy and of the chance of scarring when treating a burn. Clinical assessment, though accurate only up to 75 percent of the time, is still the most used technique to gauge the depth of a burn wound. In the study, the researchers discuss all current methods useful to generate an accurate evaluation of the depth of a burn wound, from basic clinical evaluation to more thorough biopsy, histology, video angiography, and laser Doppler procedures. The researchers concluded that telemetry and basic burn photographs are the most helpful tools when doing an initial burn assessment in an emergency, but for major treatment decisions, laser Doppler imaging is the only technology that has a history of accurately gauging wound outcome.

"Research From University of Amsterdam, Department of Cardiology in the Area of Burn Care Published"
Hospital & Nursing Home Week (09/18/08) P. 41; Adams, R.

Early cooling of burn patients in an ambulance before being treated at a hospital can help cool the brain and reduce neurological damage, according to a new report from researchers in the Netherlands. Currently it is not common for burn survivors to be treated with burn dressings before reaching the hospital, but ambulance crews can easily be trained to offer such treatment. Researchers measured the tympanic temperatures of 10 volunteers before, during, and after applying burn dressings and found that the temperature decreased substantially after 20 minutes. The temperature drop ranged from 0.10 to 1.18 degrees Celsius. Researchers concluded that early application of burn dressings could help improve neurological outcomes.

"General Hospital Reports Research in Burn Care"
Pharma Investments, Ventures & Law Weekly (09/14/08) P. 575; Lavrentieva, A.

The administration of antithrombin to combat coagulation, decreased fibrinolytic activity, and lowered natural anticoagulant activity in severely burned patients was found to have a positive impact, according to a new study from researchers in Greece. Among 31 patients in an intensive care unit, there was a significant difference in the time course of coagulation between those who were treated with antithrombin and those who were not, and the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score time decreased in those given antithrombin and did not decrease in the non-antithrombin group. There were no side effects reported from the treatment, and the antithrombin group’s 28-day mortality dropped by 25 percent compared to 0.004 percent for non-antithrombin patients.

The inclusion of articles in the IAFF Burn Foundation Briefing does not imply the IAFF or IAFF Burn Foundation's endorsement of their content nor any particular organizations or programs highlighted in these articles. Articles are intended to increase awareness of media coverage of topics relevant to our community and are provided for informational purposes only.

© Copyright 2008 INFORMATION, INC.

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