Burn Wound Infection At The Kenyatta National Hospital: A Descriptive Retrospective Study

Abstract

This is a retrospective study involving a survey of hospital records to determine the rate of burn wound infection at; the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH). Risk factors predisposing to the infection, the causative organisms and their sensitivity patterns were addressed. A total of 3976 patients weie admitted in the surgical wards in the period January 1991 - December 1992 and 1021 (25.6%) of these admissions were due to burns. This study is however based on the records of 347 patients, which are the only ones that could be traced. In this study, established to the rate of burn wound infection at the KNH was be 18.7% and common causative organisms were staphylococcus aureus (32%); Pseudomonas aeruginosa (21%) and proteus (11%). These organisms were sensitive to the commonly used antibiotics including cephalosporins, aminoglycosides and the newer penicillins. Risk factors predisposing to wound infection were patient I s age and extent of burnt surface area (BSA) It is recommended that further controlled prospective studies in this area be undertaken so as to compare different modes of management and their efficacy.