Four-year Retrospective Investigation of Burn Injury in the Home Bathtub by Elderly Persons Aged 80 Years or Older

Abstract

 The incidence of burn injuries due to hot water increases with age. This study retrospectively investigated reports of elderly patients who sustained burn injuries in the bathtub at their home and discussed potential prevention methods. Reports of hospitalized patients (80 years old or older) who received treatment at our hospital for burn injuries were selected. Among the selected reports, there were 22 of patients who sustained burn injuries within their home and 4 of burn injuries sustained while bathing. Three cases had a common faucet structure, two-steering faucets (the device has two independent controlling flow-devices such as orifice, tap, or cock) . All three cases ranged between superficial dermal burn (SDB) and deep burn (DB) on pelvis and lower extremities. As contributory factors, this study suggested cognitive deficiency due to changes in blood pressure, physical decline, such as muscular decrement, and the possible danger of the two-steering faucet due to its design. Considering these factors, the faucet issue is preventable by changing it. This study suggests preventative methods by cooperating with the local government and surveying potential factors in the home.