Kentucky Injury Prevention
and Research Center Publicaions

Experience of Kentucky SENSOR Occupational Burn Surveillance

Scheerer A, Struttmann T

Establishing the surveillance system for occupational burns in Kentucky began in October 1997. Before data collection could begin, it was necessary to put efforts into developing the questionnaire, refining methods, obtaining IRB approval and establishing a network to identify and report cases. Because there is no reporting requirement in Kentucky for occupational injuries, facilities needed to be recruited to voluntarily participate in the project. Recruitment of hospital burn units, emergency departments, outpatient clinics and a workers' compensation insurance company involved extensive communication through letters, phone calls and meetings. Several facilities declined to participate, mainly due to a history of treating few burn injuries or lack of staff availability. Currently, 25 facilities make up the reporting network. Follow-up phone interviews are conducted with the injured worker or the employer to obtain data about the work environment and how the burn occurred. Issues presenting challenges include facilities not reporting consistently or timely, and difficulty reaching the injured worker or employer by phone for an interview.

During 1998-1999, 314 cases were reported through the network. Ninety-three percent were treated on an outpatient basis, while 6% required hospitalization and 1% were fatal. The majority were thermal burns (64%), followed by chemical burns (16%), welding flash burns (9%) and electrical burns (6%). Restaurant workers made up a large portion of the cases with the industry category of eating and drinking places accounting for 28%; about 40% were due to hot grease.

Comments to Mark Schneider, Last Modified: July 9, 2001 by JP
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