516 Mortality from Inhalation Injury in Oxygen Dependent Patients Exceeds Prediction from Prognostic Models

• Published in: Journal of burn care & research Vol. 41; no. Supplement_1; pp. S95 - S96
• Main Authors: Singer, Kathleen, Harvey, Jalen, Dale, Elizabeth
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: US Oxford University Press 03-03-2020
• ISSN: 1559-047X; 1559-0488
• DOI: 10.1093/jbcr/iraa024.148

Abstract
Introduction
The Boston Criteria and the Abbreviated Burn Severity Index (ABSI) are two widely accepted models for predicting mortality in burn patients. We aimed to elucidate whether these models are able to accurately predict risk of mortality in patients who sustain burns while smoking on home oxygen given their overall clinical fragility.
Methods
We conducted a retrospective chart review of 48 patients admitted to our burn center from November 2013 to September 2017 who sustained a burn while smoking on home oxygen. Yearlong mortality was the primary outcome of the investigation; secondary outcomes included discharge to facility, length of stay, and need for tracheostomy. We then calculated the expected mortality rate for each patient based on Boston Criteria and ABSI, respectively, and compared the mortality rate observed in our cohort.
Results
Patients in our cohort suffered a 54% mortality rate within a year of injury, compared to a 23.5% mortality predicted by Boston Criteria, which was found to be statistically significant by chi-square analysis (p < 0.05). ABSI predicted mortality was 19.7%. While the absolute value of difference in mortality was greater, this was not found to be significant on chi-square analysis due to the small sample size. Our secondary outcomes revealed 42% discharge to facility, average length of stay of 6.2 days, and 6.25% required tracheostomy. Patients in our cohort suffered a 54% mortality rate within a year of injury, compared to a 23.5% mortality predicted by Boston Criteria, which was found to be statistically significant by chi-square analysis (p < 0.05). ABSI predicted mortality was 19.7%. While the absolute value of difference in mortality was greater, this was not found to be significant on chi-square analysis due to the small sample size. Our secondary outcomes revealed 42% discharge to facility, average length of stay of 6.2 days, and 6.25% required tracheostomy.
Conclusions
Patients whose burns are attributable to smoking on home oxygen may have an increased risk of mortality than prognostication models, such as the Boston Criteria and ABSI, may suggest. This bears significant clinical impact, particularly regarding family and provider decision-making in pursuing aggressive management.
Applicability of Research to Practice
This data indicates that these injuries are direr than expected, which may have significant impact on family and provider decision-making.