Echols Jane, Friedman Bruce C, Mullins Robert F, Hassan Zaheed, Shaver Joseph R, Brandigi Claus, Wilson Joan, Cox Laura
Joseph M. Still Burn Center, Doctors Hospital, Augusta, Georgia.
J Wound Ostomy Continence Nurs. 2007 Nov-Dec;34(6):664-70. doi: 10.1097/01.WON.0000300279.82262.07.
The primary objective of this study was to compare rates of urinary tract and soft tissue infections in critically ill burn patients before and following introduction of a Bowel Management System (BMS). We also analyzed the economic impact of the BMS as compared to reactive management of fecal soiling via cleansing and dressing changes.
A retrospective case-matched before-after study was completed. Critically ill burn patients using a BMS were matched with similar patients managed before introduction of the device based on gender, total body surface area burned, burn location, ventilation days, and hospital length of stay.
Reductions in hospital-acquired urinary tract infections and skin and soft tissue infections were observed after introduction of the BMS. Despite its initial cost, it proved more cost effective than a reactive bowel management strategy based on cleansing and dressing changes when fecal soiling occurs.
Proactive use of a bowel management device appears to reduce some infectious sequelae in a complicated burn care population and proved cost-effective for our facility.
