Burns are a life altering event. They cause immediate and long-term traumas to mind and body and are arguably the most painful, unique and complex injury a human can suffer.
Whether it is a hot liquid scalding injury to a child, or a horrific injury caused by fire, explosion or vehicle accident, the impact of a severe burn can last a lifetime with many having to deal with the physical and emotional effects every day of their lives. Recovery can be long-term, complex and challenging.
What the stats tell us
BRANZ Report Australia | 1 July 2021 – 30 June 2022
2,786 PATIENTS
2,786 patients were admitted to burns units between the year 2021 - 2022. This is a 8.4% decrease in admitted patients from 2020/2021.
- 2,388 patients were adults
- 867 patients were children
- 220 First Nation peoples
2,388 PATIENTS WERE ADULTS
- 2,388 patients were adults
- 73.36% of the total burns population
- 42.9% of adult burns are due to a flame
867 PATIENTS WERE CHILDREN
- 867 patients were children
- 26.64% of the total burns population
- The median age of paediatric cases was 3 years old.
- 50.8% of burns in children are due to scalds
29.1% OF CHILDREN & 46.1% OF ADULTS
- 29.1% of children did not receive the recommended first aid for burn injuries.
- 46.7% of adults did not receive the recommended first aid for burn injuries.
- 51% of First Nation peoples did not receive the recommended first aid for burn injuries.
- Approximately 1,101 adults and 252 did not receive the recommended first aid for burn injuries.
72.7% OF CASES
72.7% of patients underwent at least one burn wound management procedure in theatre.
- 73.7% of adult patients underwent a burn wound procedure in theatre
- 73% of children underwent a burn wound procedure in theatre
- 76.4% of First Nation peoples underwent a burn wound procedure in theatre
1.9% OF ADULT PATIENTS & 0% OF CHILDREN
- 1.9% of adult burn patients died in hospital as a result of their injury.
- 0% of children burn patients died in hospital as a result of their injury.
- 1% of Indigenous Australians died in hospital as a result of their injury.
4.2 DAYS
The Australian median hospital stay length was 4.2 days.
- The median hospital stay length for adults - 5.0 days
- The median hospital stay length for children - 2.2 days
- The median hospital stay length for First Nation Peoples 5.8 days
58.1% OF ADULTS & 75.9% OF CHILDREN
- 58.7% of Adults sustained a burn injury within the home.
- 75.9% of children sustained a burn injury within the home.
- 55.7% of First Nation peoples sustained a burn injury within the home.
MALES 2+ TIMES MORE LIKELY
- In Australia, males are approximately 2.14 times more likely to sustain a burn injury than females.
- Among adults, males are about 2.48 times more likely to sustain a burn injury than females.
- Among children, males are roughly 1.46 times more likely to sustain a burn injury than females.
OVER $150 MILLION
- Burns cost the Australian community over $150 million per annum
- More than $2000 of taxpayer funds are required per 24 hours of admission for specialist burn care
Our ongoing challenge
Our challenge is to minimise the devastation caused by visible scarring and discover what influences the effect invisible scarring has on:
- the skins capacity to heal
- the development and maintenance of scarring
- additional long-term physical health issues
- psychosocial wellbeing
Only with this knowledge can we truly unravel the mysteries of burn injury and address the problems associated with the functional, psychological and cosmetic aspects of burn scars. Doing this through developing and using individual treatment plans will ultimately improve the quality of life for those recovering from burn injuries.