BACKGROUND: Steam inhalation therapy is often recommended in the treatment of a common cold. However, it has no proven benefit and may in fact have serious adverse side effects in terms of burn injuries. AIM: To quantify the human and economic costs of steam inhalation therapy in terms of burn injury. DESIGN AND SETTING: A prospective database study of all patients admitted to the burn centres (Beverwijk, Groningen, Rotterdam) and the hospital emergency departments in the Netherlands. METHOD: Number and extent of burn injuries as a result of steam inhalation therapy were analysed, as well as an approximation made of the direct costs for their medical treatment. RESULTS: Annually, on average three people are admitted to in one of the Dutch burn centres for burns resulting from steam inhalation therapy. Most victims were children, and they needed skin grafting more often than adults. The total direct medical costs for burn centre and emergency department treatment were €115,500 (£93,000), emotional costs are not reflected. CONCLUSION: As steam inhalation therapy has no proven benefit and the number and extent of complications of this therapy in terms of burn injury are significant, especially in children, steam inhalation therapy should be considered a dangerous procedure and not recommended anymore in professional guidelines and patient brochures.
BACKGROUND: Steam inhalation therapy is often recommended in the treatment of a common cold. However, it has no proven benefit and may in fact have serious adverse side effects in terms of burn injuries. AIM: To quantify the human and economic costs of steam inhalation therapy in terms of burn injury. DESIGN AND SETTING: A prospective database study of all patients admitted to the burn centres (Beverwijk, Groningen, Rotterdam) and the hospital emergency departments in the Netherlands. METHOD: Number and extent of burn injuries as a result of steam inhalation therapy were analysed, as well as an approximation made of the direct costs for their medical treatment. RESULTS: Annually, on average three people are admitted to in one of the Dutch burn centres for burns resulting from steam inhalation therapy. Most victims were children, and they needed skin grafting more often than adults. The total direct medical costs for burn centre and emergency department treatment were €115,500 (£93,000), emotional costs are not reflected. CONCLUSION: As steam inhalation therapy has no proven benefit and the number and extent of complications of this therapy in terms of burn injury are significant, especially in children, steam inhalation therapy should be considered a dangerous procedure and not recommended anymore in professional guidelines and patient brochures.
Authors: Joanne F Olieman; Marten J Poley; Saskia J Gischler; Corine Penning; Johanna C Escher; Thelma L van den Hoonaard; Johannes B van Goudoever; Nikolaas M A Bax; Dick Tibboel; Hanneke IJsselstijn Journal: J Pediatr Surg Date: 2010-03 Impact factor: 2.545
Authors: Sarah Al Himdani; Muhammad Umair Javed; Juliana Hughes; Olivia Falconer; Christopher Bidder; Sarah Hemington-Gorse; Dai Nguyen Journal: Br J Gen Pract Date: 2016-03 Impact factor: 5.386