Does early bloodstream infection pose a significant risk of in-hospital mortality in adults with burns?

Backgroud/purpose Bloodstream infections (BSI) are common in patients with major burns, but its effect on mortality remains controversial. This study was aimed to investigate if BSI is significant risk factor of mortality? Methods This is a retrospective chart review study included 266 adult patients admitted to our burn center from 2000 to 2019. Age, sex, inhalation injuries, total burn surface area (TBSA), duration of stay in intensive care unit, BSI and mortality were variables studied. Fisher exact test, Mann-Whitney test and logistic regression was used for statistical analysis. Results There were 234 survivors and 32 non-survivors. Male was predominant. The overall incidence of BSI was 18.8%, and the overall crude mortality was 12%. Burns ≥ 30% TBSA and BSI were significant risk factors. A predictive function based on 30% TBSA and BSI within 14 days after the onset of burns (BSI-14) was derived. The function has a sensitivity of 0.97, specificity of 0.42 and achieved a maximum Youden Index at functional value ≥ 0.05727. The mortality probability of BSI-14 in burns ≥ 30% TBSA was 40.8%. Conclusions BSI and burns ≥ 30% TBSA were significant risk factors of mortality. Early detection of BSI-14 is critical in burn care as its probability of mortality can be as high as 40% in patients ≥ 30% TBSA of burns. To reduce the risk of mortality, early in ventilator withdrawal, invasive lines and tubes removal, and early grafting should be emphasized besides infection control and appropriate use of antibiotics.