The use of a laminar airflow isolation system for the treatment of major burns

A laminar airflow isolation burn ward was designed which would maintain a sterile environment and also allow unrestricted burn care and rehabilitation to be performed. A very low rate of sepsis and sepsis-related complications have been found in the 115 patients treated in the unit. Patient cross contamination has been completely controlled under laminar airflow conditions. The incidence of burn colonization and infection by virulent gram-negative organisms, namely pseudomonas, serratia, klebsiella, and proteus, in these patients has been extremely low, particularly in comparison with burn patients managed in a non-laminar flow intensive care environment.