Relationship between outcomes and Questions
Improvements in the outcomes for older people sustaining burn wounds have lagged behind by far as compared to younger patient. This is because older adults have demonstrated an improved understanding of the effects and outcomes of burn injuries. However, studies indicate that the older population is associated with an increased risk of death from burn injuries.
Burn injury is a significant epidemiological challenge in the older population. Several factors like thinner skin of the older people, the effects of comorbidities as well as the rehabilitative challenges influence burn management among the ageing population. This report’s findings raise important questions concerning the influence of patient age on care and management of burn injuries.
Various factors guide the management and evaluation of burns. The most significant element is the form of the burn injury like chemical, thermal, radiation or electrical. Next is the magnitude of the burn injury, depth of the wound and other factors like the patient’s age. Besides, other health or medical problems of the patients are significant during care and evaluation of burn injuries.
Approximately 85% of burn injuries are as a result of thermal injuries, while about 3% are chemical and 4% are electrical. Scald and flame burns are significant causes of burns in adults and children. Flame burns injure more adults while scald burns injure younger children. Generally, burn injuries affect middle and low-income individuals and people in low-income countries.