Olivia Hill1, Terry Creagh2

1 MB ChB, Christchurch Regional Plastics and Burns Unit
2 FRACS, Christchurch Regional Plastics and Burns Unit

The Christchurch Regional Plastic & Burns Unit provides comprehensive reconstructive and burn services to southern New Zealand; servicing the second largest health board in the country in both geographical and population size.

Analysis of Burns patients presenting to our hospital that met the criteria for ANZBA database were audited to determine the demographics, type of burn injuries, inhalation injury, the impact of burn injuries while working in a rebuilding city and how these compare with other regional data and published series.

Prospectively collected data on all Burns patients between July 2010 and March 2016 were analysed, with five hundred and twenty patients, including an age range of 0-90years and an average age of 27.1 years. Those between 0-9 years old represented the largest age group; overall the majority of injuries were due to scald (40%) or flame (33%) burns. The location of injury was in the patient’s own home or friends home (67%). Occupational burns made up 18% of presentations (n=94) with a five fold increase with work related burn injuries seen since 2010. Inhalational injury was seen in 35 patients and 6 required ventilation.

The wide variety of presentations reflects the broad range of injury as a result of burns. We show children in the 0-9 age group as being the most affected age group in our medium sized unit. Our workplace data suggests an increase in work related burns which is not comparable to other regional centres. This study identifies areas of education to prevent burns occurring; particularly in children, at home or in the workplace. Education and work place safety is likely to further improve burn incidence.

Acknowledgments: Marageret Conaglen (RN) Christchurch Public Hospital

Key Words

Burn, injury, accident, occupational safety,