This is evidenced by the findings of a study published on the website of the project «TRUE — Trauma Rehabilitation for Ukraine», as reported by Ukrinform.
Researchers examined anonymized data from the electronic healthcare system pertaining to 5660 children under 18 years of age who sustained burn injuries. Of these, 2438 children were hospitalized.
According to the analysis outcomes, only 431 children, representing 7.6% of all burn patients, received rehabilitation. Among those hospitalized, this figure stood at 11% (268 children).
Furthermore, a mere 5.9% of children received rehabilitation during their first treatment episode, despite the Ministry of Health’s requirements for it to begin within the first 72 hours post-stabilization. For hospitalized children, this rate was 8.6%.
The researchers also highlighted the issue of continuity of care following hospital discharge. Out of 70 children who underwent inpatient rehabilitation, only four continued it on an outpatient basis.
The study authors emphasize that the obtained results indicate a limited adherence to current rehabilitation standards in practice. However, they note that administrative data do not allow for the precise identification of the reasons behind the low rates, as some rehabilitation measures might not be documented or might be provided outside official reporting channels.
According to Lesya Strilka, an expert on the project and head of the burn department at Kyiv City Children’s Clinical Hospital No. 1, rehabilitation for children with burns should commence from the moment of hospitalization, as early intervention offers the best prospects for functional recovery and the child’s return to a full life.
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The research was conducted by the charitable foundation «Patients of Ukraine», the NGO «Health Sciences Research Fund», the Norwegian Institute of Public Health (NIPH), and Sunnaas Rehabilitation Hospital, with financial support from the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad).
As previously reported, France has allocated €7.5 million for the reconstruction of a rehabilitation department at a hospital in the Vinnytsia region.
За матеріалами: www.ukrinform.ua