Homeless Tent Fires: A Descriptive Analysis of Tent Fires in the Homeless Population

Author:

Huang Samantha12,Choi Katherine J12,Pham Christopher H123ORCID,Collier Zachary J23,Dang Justin M2,Kiwanuka Harriet45,Sheckter Clifford C45ORCID,Yenikomshian Haig A23,Gillenwater Justin23ORCID

Affiliation:

1. Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, USA

2. Los Angeles County Regional Burn Center, Los Angeles County + University of Southern California Medical Center, USA

3. Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, USA

4. Northern California Regional Burn Center at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, San Jose, USA

5. Stanford University, California, USA

Abstract

Abstract Tent fires are a growing issue in regions with large homeless populations given the rise in homelessness within the United States and existing data that suggest worse outcomes in this population. The aim of this study was to describe the characteristics and outcomes of tent fire burn injuries in the homeless population. A retrospective review was conducted involving two verified regional burn centers with patients admitted for tent fire burns between January 2015 and December 2020. Variables recorded include demographics, injury characteristics, hospital course, and patient outcomes. Sixty-nine patients met the study inclusion criteria. The most common mechanisms of injury were by portable stove accident, assault, and tobacco or methamphetamine related. Median percent total body surface area (%TBSA) burned was 6% (interquartile range [IQR] 9%). Maximum depth of injury was partial thickness in 65% (n = 45) and full thickness in 35% (n = 24) of patients. Burns to the upper and lower extremities were present in 87% and 54% of patients, respectively. Median hospital length of stay (LOS) was 10 days (IQR = 10.5) and median ICU LOS was 1 day (IQR = 5). Inhalation injury was present in 14% (n = 10) of patients. Surgical intervention was required in 43% (n = 30) of patients, which included excision, debridement, skin grafting, and escharotomy. In-hospital mortality occurred in 4% (n = 3) of patients. Tent fire burns are severe enough to require inpatient and ICU level of care. A high proportion of injuries involved the extremities and pose significant barriers to functional recovery in this vulnerable population. Strategies to prevent these injuries are paramount.

Publisher

Oxford University Press (OUP)

Subject

Rehabilitation,Emergency Medicine,Surgery

Reference28 articles.

1. The 2019 Annual Homeless Assessment Report (AHAR) to Congress, Part 1: point-in-time estimates of homelessness

2. Health status of and access to health services by residents of urban encampments in Los Angeles;Cousineau;J Health Care Poor Underserved,1997

3. Assault and substance abuse characterize burn injuries in homeless patients;Kramer;J Burn Care Res,2008

4. 58 The homelessness crisis and burn injuries: a cohort study;Vrouwe;J Burn Care Res,2020

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