Do not get burned: preventing iatrogenic fires and burns in the emergency department.
Burns are a common emergency in children but are rarely sustained in the emergency department. While iatrogenic burns in the operating room have been detailed in the medical literature, there is little or no information on iatrogenic burns in the emergency department. We present 2 cases of patients who sustained burns in the emergency department and review the most common mechanisms for this to happen. It is not always evident that certain procedures can cause unexpected burns to our patients. A survey of pediatric emergency medicine fellowship programs indicates that most programs have no training about these dangers. Recommendations are made to help prevent and control iatrogenic fires in the emergency department.
Hurt
Thomas L
TL
Department of Emergency Medicine, Mary Bridge Children's Hospital, Tacoma, WA 98405, USA. shurt78@comcast.net
Schweich
Paula J
PJ
D000056:Accident Prevention; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000737:chemistry; D001573:Benzoin / Q000737:chemistry; D002056:Burns / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002648:Child; D004322:Drainage / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D004564:Electrocoagulation; D004635:Emergency Medicine / Q000193:education*; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D005018:Ethyl Chloride / Q000737:chemistry; D005107:Explosions / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D005336:Fiber Optic Technology / Q000295:instrumentation; D005390:Fires / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006230:Hand Injuries / Q000209:etiology; D006406:Hematoma / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007049:Iatrogenic Disease / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008029:Lighting / Q000295:instrumentation; D009260:Nail Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D010100:Oxygen; D017751:Safety Management
D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D005018:Ethyl Chloride; D001573:Benzoin; D010100:Oxygen