title: Hydrotherapy in burn care: a survey of hydrotherapy practices in the UK and Ireland and literature review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hydrotherapy is widely used in burns management however there are risks associated with its use, in particular cross-infection. Data regarding indications and techniques in common use is deficient. This study aimed to investigate hydrotherapy practices in the UK and Ireland.
  
  
  METHODS
  A survey of the hydrotherapy practice of major burn care providers was performed by e mail and where necessary, follow up telephone contact.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The survey included 28 burn care providers. 27 reported using hydrotherapy. Only 11 (41%) had defined indication criteria with 4 (15%) implementing a specific protocol. Variations in hydrotherapy practice were seen.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Hydrotherapy is used nationwide, however considerable variation in practice exists. One area worthy of further consideration is the need for appropriate standards of infection control.
authors: Warwick Medical School, The University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK.
authors: Jenna
authors: J
authors: Langschmidt
authors: University of Birmingham Medical School, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK.
authors: Paul L
authors: PL
authors: Caine
authors: Burns & Plastic Surgery Department, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham B15 2WB, UK.
authors: Christopher M
authors: CM
authors: Wearn
authors: Burns & Plastic Surgery Department, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham B15 2WB, UK.
authors: Amy
authors: A
authors: Bamford
authors: Burns & Plastic Surgery Department, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham B15 2WB, UK; Birmingham Children's Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Steelhouse Lane, Birmingham B4 6NH, UK.
authors: Yvonne T
authors: YT
authors: Wilson
authors: Burns & Plastic Surgery Department, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham B15 2WB, UK; Birmingham Children's Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Steelhouse Lane, Birmingham B4 6NH, UK. Electronic address: nmoiemen@aol.com.
authors: Naiem S
authors: NS
authors: Moiemen
mesh_terms: D002056:Burns / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D006875:Hydrotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods*; D007494:Ireland; D018579:Patient Selection; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006113:United Kingdom; D014946:Wound Infection / Q000517:prevention & control*
keywords: Burns wounds; Cross infection; Hydrotherapy; Pseudomonas; Review; Survey; Wound cleansing