This study investigated the infiuence of a conditioned rare environmen
t per se on bacterial colonization of burn wounds. Two cohorts of burn
patients were treated in the successive years 1992 and 1993, the firs
t group in a (permanent) purpose-designed unit and the second in wards
of traditional 'open' design, during renovation of the unit. Patients
who were admitted to the permanent and temporary units numbered 224 a
nd 231 respectively, the groups being similar in features that general
ly influence the course and outcome of burn injuries. The principles a
nd practice of treatment by the burn care team remained the same in bo
th years. No significant difference in wound colonization rates was fo
und between the two groups. We conclude that while the other known adv
antages of managing burn patients in purpose-designed units remain val
id a conditioned care environment per se does not influence bacterial
colonization rates of burn wounds.