Emotional responses of hospitalized patients with burns to debridement during the acute phase

The objectives of this descriptive study were to investigate anxiety and depressed mood of patients with burns associated with debridement and their preferences for and perceptions of control during the debridement procedure. Measurements began within 48 hours of hospital admission, continuing every 3 days over 2 weeks for subjects with small burn injuries (less than 30% of total body surface area). Data suggested the possibility of a mildly depressed mood for some subjects during the first week in the hospital and high levels of association between depressed mood and anxiety based on the large number of significant correlations (p < .05). Over time, the amount of control that patients preferred and the amount of choice they perceived during debridement increased. These findings about responses of patients with burns to debridement suggest that their emotional responses were well managed for the most part and support their involvement in the debridement procedure.