Burn care in relation to burn epidemiology in Italy

Burn centres are 'hubs' of referral for large areas and should be organised in a network optimised for the needs of their area. Burn centres' organisation and activity in Italy are analysed with reference to burn epidemiology in the country.

A questionnaire was submitted to Italian burn centres concerning organisation, activity and epidemiology of burns treated in 2008.

A total of 2067 patients were admitted to a burn centre in 2008; 50% of burns were due to flames (21% alcohol); and 25% of patients were <14 years old. Overall mortality was 5.3%. 144 beds in 15 burn centres were available (seven reserved for children; bed/inhabitants ratio, 1/414, .023). However, distribution is not uniform in the country. Bed rotation was 14.4 patients/bed, and hospital stay varied from 11.7 days for <20% total body surface area (TBSA) burns to >120 days for burns >70%. About half (57%) of patients admitted had less than 20% TBSA burns, 32% had 20-50% TBSA burns, 7% from 50% to 70% and 4% over 70% TBSA. A national network coordinating burn centre activity is lacking.

Italy seems to have less availability of beds for burn care than other countries, and distribution and organisation of the network may be improved. The high prevalence of child burns should be noticed and this makes prevention campaigns advisable.