Electrical Burn and Associated Factors That Prolong In-patient Stay in a Level Three Burn Unit

Abstract

Abstract Electrical trauma is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, which have been reduced by improved medical care, as measured by the length of stay (LOS) as a marker for this population’s quality of care. This paper will review the clinical and demographic characteristics, LOS in the hospital, and variables related to patients with electrical burns. A retrospective cohort study was conducted at a specialized burn unit in Southwest Colombia. Five hundred seventy-five electrical burn-related admissions from 2000 to 2016 were reviewed for the LOS and variables including patient-related (age, gender, marital status, education, and occupation), location of the accident (domestic vs labor-related), voltage, direct contact, arc, flash, flame, clinical presentation (burn surface area, depth, single or multiple organ injury, secondary infection, and abnormal labs), and treatment (surgical procedures and intensive care unit [ICU] admission). Univariate and bivariate analysis, with its 95% CI (confidence interval). We also performed a multiple logistic regression. LOS was correlated to males, age greater than 20 years, construction workers, high voltage injuries, severe burns by area and depth, infection, ICU admission, and multiple surgical procedures or extremity amputation. LOS due to electrical injury was observed to be significantly associated with the following variables, carpal tunnel release (OR [odds ratio]= 4.25, 95% CI [confidence interval] 1.70–5.20); amputation (OR = 2.81, 95% CI 1.60–5.10); infection (OR = 2.60, 95% CI 1.30–5.20); site of infection, mainly wound (OR = 1.30, 95% CI 1.10–1.44); associated injury (OR = 1.72, 95% CI 1.00–3.24); work or domestic accident (OR = 1.83, 95% CI 1.00–3.32); aged 20–40 years (OR = 1.41, 95% CI 1.00–2.10); CPK (OR = 1.40, 95% CI 1.00–2.00); and third-degree burns (OR = 1.55, 95% CI 1.00–2.80). Risk factors for LOS secondary to electrical injury should be appropriately addressed. Prevention at high-risk workplaces is imperative. Mitigating the injury with appropriate management of infection and timely surgical interventions play an essential role in the successful treatment of these patients.