EXPERIENCE WITH POLYMICROBIAL SEPSIS IN A REGIONAL BURN UNIT

A 2-year review of 795 patients admitted to a regional burn unit was c arried out to determine the incidence of polymicrobial sepsis. Of 38 b acteraemic patients, 21 (55 per cent) had polymicrobial sepsis in 1990 . Of 38 cases in 1991, 12 patients (31.6 per cent) had polymicrobic in fections. Of 36 deaths in 1990, 13 were attributed to sepsis, 12 of 29 (31.6 per cent) in 1991. Of the patients who died in 1990, eight (21 per cent) were polymicrobic septic deaths and six (15.8 per cent) in 1 991. The problem has been reported in immunocompromised patients, espe cially those with terminal malignancies, but has rarely been rated in burn patients. Recognition of the seriousness of the problem and the a ggressive antibiotic therapy appropriate to the organisms in question is advised.