Alden Nicole E, Bessey Palmer Q, Rabbitts Angela, Hyden Philip J, Yurt Roger W
William Randolph Hearst Burn Center, New York Presbyterian-Weill Cornell Medical Center, 525 E 68th Street, L706, New York, NY 10021, USA.
Burns. 2007 Aug;33(5):666-9. doi: 10.1016/j.burns.2006.10.003. Epub 2007 May 2.
Tap water scalds among those >or=60 years old are often attributed to physical impairments with aging. This study assesses socio-economics associated with tap water scalds among seniors and the elderly.
Charts of patients admitted to an urban Burn Center between 7/00 and 6/04 for treatment of tap water scalds were reviewed. Demographics, injury details, co-morbidities, surgical interventions/critical care requirements, length of stay (LOS), disposition and related economics were reviewed.
During the study period, 68 patients >or=60 years were hospitalized for treatment of these scalds. Mean age and burn size were 78+/-1 years and 7+/-0.9% TBSA. Over 98% of patients were admitted with pre-existing co-morbidities; 60% required ICU care for 40+/-5 days; 22% required mechanical ventilation and 71% required surgery. LOS was 34+/-4 days. Most patients received government assistance income. Pre-injury, 32% resided alone. Post-injury, 10% of patients returned home alone; mortality was 22%. Per patient hospital costs approximated $113,000.
These findings report that tap water scalds result in significant morbidity, mortality and health care costs for local seniors and the elderly. Socio-economic factors play a significant role in these injuries and must be assessed when planning prevention efforts.
60岁及以上人群的自来水烫伤通常归因于衰老导致的身体机能衰退。本研究评估了与老年人自来水烫伤相关的社会经济因素。
回顾了2000年7月至2004年6月间入住一家城市烧伤中心接受自来水烫伤治疗的患者病历。对人口统计学、损伤细节、合并症、手术干预/重症监护需求、住院时间（LOS）、出院情况及相关经济情况进行了评估。
在研究期间，68名60岁及以上患者因这些烫伤住院治疗。平均年龄和烧伤面积分别为78±1岁和7±0.9%TBSA。超过98%的患者入院时已有合并症；60%的患者需要在重症监护病房治疗40±5天；22%的患者需要机械通气，71%的患者需要手术。住院时间为34±4天。大多数患者有政府援助收入。受伤前，32%的患者独居。受伤后，10%的患者独自回家；死亡率为22%。每位患者的住院费用约为113,000美元。
这些研究结果表明，自来水烫伤给当地老年人带来了严重的发病率、死亡率和医疗费用。社会经济因素在这些损伤中起着重要作用，在规划预防措施时必须予以评估。
