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Introduction Chemical burns, after thermal burns, are the second most common cause of burns in China [1,2]. A wide variety of chemicals have the potential to cause tissue injuries and systemic effects [3,4]. Although many strategies have been developed for prehospital decontamination [5,6], wound management and systemic support [3,7], prevention remains the best way to avoid recurrence of these accidents and injuries. The etiology and morbidity of chemical burns varies around the world, influenced by the local population structure, industry distribution, and geographical and social environments [8,9]. Epidemiologic studies can provide reliable data to help with the initiation and assessment of effective preventive approaches. Zhejiang province, located in the southeast coast of China, is well-known for its rapid economic development and industrialization level [10]. The chemical industry is considered an important pillar industry in the area, particularly in the western part of the province. In recent years, large chemical corporations, as well as private enterprises and sole proprietorships, have continued to expand their plants and increase production. The usage of chemicals is high in the production industry, transportation and domestic life, partly due to the thriving development of private and collective enterprises. The related occupational education and safety training are lacking, and thus, workers may fail to follow safety rules and regulations. This lack of safety education combined with the high usage of chemicals leads to a high frequency of chemical injuries, which may occur as sporadic cases or as group events injuring multiple people [11]. The Quhua Hospital is a medical institute focusing on the treatment and management of chemical burns in western Zhejiang Province. This study presents the epidemiologic characteristics of 690 patients with chemical burns admitted to the Quhua Hospital between January 2004 and December 2013.Materials and methods The Quhua Hospital is the largest chemical burn center in western Zhejiang Province, with 38 beds and eight ICU beds. The burn center provides high-quality medical care for patients with chemical burns, thermal burns, and other types of burns and trauma. Clinical data were collected from 3702 consecutive patients with burns admitted to the Quhua Hospital from January 2004 to December 2013. Of these, 690 patients (18.64%) suffered from chemical burns. This study retrospectively analyzed the 690 chemical burn cases with regard to patient demographics (gender, age, occupation and education), location of burn, cause of burn, and chemical category. The season of admittance, prehospital treatment, wound site/size (area, region, and depth), accompanying injuries, operations, length of hospital stay and mortality were also assessed.
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