Project Lead(s): Robin Evans
Every year, more than 112 million people are severely burned worldwide and 90% of burn-related deaths occur in low- or middle-income countries (LMIC).
Burn prevention programs are often non-existent in developing countries and there is variable access to quality acute care.
The project team sought to develop a Burn Survival Kit to provide an inexpensive, sustainable solution for burns in low-income countries.
Each kit contains oral rehydration salts (ORS) for restoring lost fluids and a silver nanotechnology dissolvable dressing to prevent infection, as well as a connection to a burn unit via a text messaging database. End users are guided by an illustrated instruction manual.
A study at Soroti Regional Hospital, Uganda, was undertaken with 32 participants.
In a murine model, researchers were able to demonstrate the antimicrobial effectiveness of the dressing through both quantitative (histological) and qualitative (subjective) examinations. This supported in-vitro findings as to the effectiveness of the dressing.
The current estimated cost of manufacturing the dressing is 90% less than Acticoat™ and the ORS component is of similar low cost.
In the study they conducted in Soroti, researchers reported that there were no deaths when clinicians used the kit, even with severely burned patients.
No contractures or infections developed during the five months of the study period.
End-user feedback was very positive and patients found the wordless instruction guide and kit to be easy to use and effective.
Knowledge of the project is available through a website.
The project team is considering establishing a social business model along the lines of the Aravind eye clinic in India and has received $1 million in additional funding from angel investors.