Short and long-term patient outcomes following inhalation injury among burn patients

OBJECTIVE

Our aim was to assess the effect of inhalation injury on in-hospital and post-discharge morbidity and mortality among burn patients.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA:

There has been no systematic assessment of long-term outcomes following inhalation injury. Additionally, the literature remains sparse regarding many non-mortality in-hospital outcomes. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of burn patients admitted to our state’s regional burn center from 2009-2015, with or without inhalation injury. Records were linked to statewide discharge and vital statistics records to assess post-discharge outcomes. Adjustment variables included age, total body surface area burned and presence of comorbidities.