A Retrospective Study on Nursing Care for Burn Injury Patients from 2020-2024 at Quirino Memorial Medical Center

Abstract

Burn injuries remain a significant public health concern globally, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where access to specialized burn care is limited. This study aimed to examine the characteristics, trends, and outcomes of burn injury patients admitted to Quirino Memorial Medical Center (QMMC) from 2020 to 2024, with emphasis on nursing care implications. A quantitative descriptive retrospective design was employed through the review of medical records of all burn patients admitted to the Burn Critical Care Unit during the five-year period. Total population sampling was utilized, yielding 426 burn cases. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, including frequency, percentage, and trend analysis. Findings revealed that burn injuries predominantly affected adults aged 30–49 years (23.24%), followed by infants (18.31%) and young adults (18.08%). Male patients accounted for the majority of cases (73%), with most individuals classified as single (78.40%) and unemployed (67.61%). The majority of cases originated from Metro Manila (50.47%) and nearby provinces in CALABARZON (42.25%). Scald burns were identified as the most common type of injury (41.55%), followed by electrical burns (22.54%) and flash burns (21.60%). A total of 424 patients were discharged, while 45 deaths were recorded, resulting in an overall mortality rate of 10.6%. Mortality was highest among adults aged 30–49 years and males, with flash burns identified as the leading cause of death. The findings indicate that burn injuries remain a persistent healthcare concern, particularly among working-age males exposed to occupational hazards and vulnerable populations exposed to domestic risks. The results underscore the critical role of nursing care in early assessment, fluid resuscitation, infection prevention, wound management, and patient education to improve clinical outcomes. Based on the findings, the study recommends the development and implementation of a comprehensive burn care management program to standardize nursing protocols, enhance clinical competencies, and strengthen preventive strategies. This study contributes to the limited local evidence on burn injury patterns and nursing care outcomes in tertiary government hospitals, providing insights for policy development, resource allocation, and quality improvement initiatives in burn care management.