BURN INJURIES AND CHARACTERISTICS OF BURN PATIENTS IN NEW-SOUTH-WALES, AUSTRALIA

This study describes the burn injuries and characteristics of patients admitted to the major adult burn unit in New South Wales, Australia. Data were collected from the medical records of all patients admitted in the 30-month study period (184 persons, 143 (78 per cent) males, 41 (22 per cent) females). The findings identified that patients were mo st likely to be males, aged between 25 and 34 years, who experienced a 11-20 per cent total surface burn area flame injury whilst using an a ccelerant in a domestic environment. Patients were more likely,to smok e tobacco, drink alcohol to hazardous levels and take prescribed psych otropic medications than the general population. Preburn morbid condit ions were prevalent, especially in the females. The actions of patient s who had sustained a non-intentional burn commonly indicted a lack of understanding of the danger of certain equipment or the combustibilit y and volatility of some materials and flame. Prevention appears to be the most effective way to reduce burn injury through education of at- risk groups. However, because of the multicausality identified in the study, other preventive measures, such as improvement in product safet y design, are suggested. Some similarities and differences with studie s reported from Australia and overseas are noted.