The mechanisms, intensity of treatment, and outcomes of hospitalized burns: issues for prevention

The mechanisms, intensity of treatment, and outcomes of fire and burn injuries that result in hospitalizations were investigated to assist in ongoing prevention efforts. All hospital discharge records with a fire or burn diagnosis were extracted from the 1994 Pennsylvania statewide hospital discharge data. Cases were categorized into 4 specific burn mechanisms: conflagrations, controlled fires, clothing ignition, and hot substances and scalds. A total of 3173 cases were reported for a rate of 26.3 per 100,000 people. Hot substances and scalds were the most common mechanism (58%) of fire and burn hospitalizations. While most injuries resulting from clothing ignition, conflagrations, and hot substances and scalds were reported as unintentional, 25% of the cases resulting from controlled fires were reported as self-inflicted. The mean hospital charge per hospitalization day (which reflected the intensity of burn treatment) was 2783 but varied significantly by mechanism (P < .001): $4102 for cases resulting from conflagrations; $3402 for cases resulting from clothing ignition; and $2187 for cases resulting from hot substances and scalds. The overall in-hospital case fatality rate was 2.4%. Prevention strategies for these injuries are outlined for injury control professionals.