Bacteriologic Study in Burn Patients Admitted to Burn Ward of Sina Hospital During 2012 - 2013, Tabriz, Iran: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: One of the important causes of mortality and morbidity in burn wards is infection. There are several reasons which make burn patients disposed to infection. Objectives: The current study aimed to investigate the role of different factors that affect bacteremia occurrence in burn patients and factors relevant with mortality in these patients. Patients and Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed in one year on 81 burn patients. We collected patient data regarding age, body weight and height, cause of burn, lesion color and place and percentage of burn. Then we documented all interventions, blood tests and cultures and recorded colonies criteria. Results: Thirty-nine males (48.1%) and 42 females (51.9%) included with a mean age of 32.06 +/- 17.46 years. In patients without bacteremia, 57 patients did not need catheterization (89.1%), however in patients with bacteremia, nine needed a catheter (52.9%).. In this survey, in patients with bacteremia, 12 survived (70.9%), however in those without bacteremia, 56 patients survived (92.2%). Then, the relativity between the type of burn and wound infection bacteria species was investigated, but analysis found a P value of 0.65, which was not significant. Conclusions: Invasive interventions increased bacteremia susceptibility in burn wards. Mortality rate had a direct association with bacteremia prevalence and increased by larger burn area.