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Severe scalds sustained during steam inhalation therapy in an adult population: Analysis of patient outcomes and the financial burden to healthcare services

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Alex North

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-ND).

Abstract

© 2022 The Author(s)Background: Steam inhalation therapy (SIT) is a common home remedy for the treatment of upper respiratory tract infections. Literature reports are increasingly discouraging this practice in the paediatric population due to the risk of scalds, however, this is yet to be echoed for adults. Methods: A retrospective review of patients admitted to a tertiary burns centre from 2015 to 2020 was undertaken identifying all adult patients requiring in-patient specialist treatment for scald injuries sustained during steam inhalation. Cost analysis and long-term patient outcomes were reviewed. Results: Twelve adult patients required inpatient management with a mean length of admission of 8 nights. One patient required operative intervention, long-term sequelae included scarring, skin sensitivity, pain, or psychological morbidity. The estimated mean cost per patient was £5402 giving a mean cost per year of £12 964. Conclusion: SIT can be associated with severe scald injuries in adults and incur considerable costs for healthcare providers.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Dearden AS, North AS, Varma S

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: JPRAS Open

Year: 2022

Volume: 32

Pages: 8-12

Print publication date: 01/06/2022

Online publication date: 11/01/2022

Acceptance date: 16/12/2021

Date deposited: 09/03/2022

ISSN (electronic): 2352-5878

Publisher: Elsevier Ltd

URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpra.2021.12.004

DOI: 10.1016/j.jpra.2021.12.004

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