Time spent engaging in physical activity is low in hospitalized adults with burn injuries, according to a study published in the Journal of Burn Care & Research. Prue McRae, BPhty, MPhil, and colleagues conducted a prospective cross-sectional study using a standardized behavioral mapping protocol to observe patient behavior related to physical activity during one 12-hour period in a quaternary referral specialist burn center. Structured observations were recorded for four domains: 1) patient location, 2) position, 3) activity performed, and 4) presence of others. Observations were summarized as median (IQR) proportion of time. Participants were predominantly male (82%) with a mean age of 44.3 (SD, 15.2), a mean burn size of 34.9% (SD, 26.7) total body surface area, and a median hospital length of stay of 18 (IQR, 6-49) days at time of observation. Participants spent a median of 83% (IQR, 73-93) of time in their bedroom, 92% (IQR, 68-97) of time in or on their bed, and a median of 5% (IQR, 3-13) of time mobilizing. Exercise accounted for 10% (IQR, 8-17) of activity-related observations. A median of 68% (IQR, 39-83) of time was spent alone.
Pediatric Burn Rate Down, While Adult Burn Rate Rises
Patients at burn centers typically have more severe burns than those in EDs, according to a study published in Burns. To update the overall burn epidemiology in the United States, April Lee, MD, and colleagues analyzed burn injury trends and sources across all age groups using the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS), which collects all injuries reported to US EDs. From 2000 to 2018, 97,986 burn injuries were recorded in NEISS, during which the researchers found a downward trend in the pediatric burn rate and an upward trend in the adult burn rate. Nearly one-half of burns occurred in children (48.41%), particularly in those younger than 5 (29.79%), and were slightly more common in men (53.93%). Most were treatable in the ED (87.83%). Hot water was the most common burn source overall (20.88%), followed by hair curlers for children younger than 2, ranges/ovens for ages 2-5, microwaves for ages 5-10, and cookware for ages 10-18. The most common injured region was the hand for all age groups (34.44%).
