Quality assurance applied to air-fluidized beds: Our experience - Part I

The use of air-fluidized beds (AFBs) was introduced into our Burn Center in 1988. These devices have a significant cost, which is acceptable only if they permit objective clinical advantages. Five years later it was decided to carry out a critical retrospective analysis of the cases treated during the last decade, comparing patients nursed on air-fluidized beds with those nursed on conventional beds, to determine the real utility and effectiveness of such devices. Some parameters of each patient have been analyzed such as mortality, duration of hospitalization, number of surgical operations, and an index of risk (Roi index). The data shows there has been a significant benefit in using AFBs in treating severely burned patients, represented by a significant reduction of the percentage of mortality (39% vs. 27%), whereas no correlation was found in the length of hospitalization and number of operations. Even though the AFBs result in an increased cost for the Burn Center, data shows that this device remains cost-effective. The authors provide some guidance for their correct utilization.