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 & New Zealand | 1 July 2022 – 30 June 2023
In Australia 2,423 BURN PATIENTS
Were admitted to burns units in Australia in the the 2022/2023 year.
There is a 10.6% decrease in admitted patients from 2,2,716 2021/22.
- 1,846 patients were adults
- 577 patients were children
- 238 First Nation peoples
In Australia and NZ 2,161 PATIENTS WERE ADULTS
- 2, 161 patients were adults
- 74.26% of the total burns population
The most common cause of injury among adult patients during the 2022/23 reporting period was flame
burns (41%), followed by scalds (28%), and contact burns (16%).
In Australia and NZ 735 PATIENTS WERE CHILDREN
- 735 patients were children
- 25.38% of the total burns population
- The median age of paediatric cases was 3 years old.
The most common cause of injury among paediatric patients during the 2022/23 reporting period was scalds
(52%), followed by contact burns (20%), and flame burns (11%).
26.8% of CHILDREN & 47.1% of ADULTS
- 26.8% of children did not receive the recommended first aid for burn injuries.
- 47.1% of adults did not receive the recommended first aid for burn injuries.
- 47.1% of First Nation peoples did not receive the recommended first aid for burn injuries.
- Approximately 1,017 adults did not receive gold standard burn first aid.
- Approximately 197 children did not receive gold standard burn first aid.
73% OF ADULT & 79.2% OF PEADATRIC CASES
- 73% of adult patients underwent a burn wound procedure in theatre
- 79.2% of children underwent a burn wound procedure in theatre
2.3% ADULT<1 % peadiatrics< 4>
4.3 DAYS
The median hospital stay length in Australia and New Zealand Burn Sites:
- The median hospital stay length for adults - 4.3 days
- The median hospital stay length for children - 2.3 days
- The median hospital stay length for First Nation Peoples 5.1 days
57.5% OF ADULTS & 75.6% OF CHILDREN
- 57.5% of Adults sustained a burn injury within the home.
- 75.6% of children sustained a burn injury within the home.
- 61.2% of First Nation peoples sustained a burn injury within the home.
MALES 2+ TIMES MORE LIKELY
The gender distribution data consistently show an overal trend with higher proportion of male patients compared to female patients.
- In Australia, males are approximately 2.11 times more likely to sustain a burn injury than females.
- Among adults patients in Australia and NZ, 69.8% of the burn patients were male, men are approximately 2.31 times more likely than women to sustain a burn injury.
- Among children in Australia and NZ, 6.5% of burn patients were males, boys are approximately are 1.53 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.