Burn injuries are among the most devastating injuries a human being can sustain and survive. While only approximately 1% of injuries are related to burns, their treatment is very resource intensive. Progress in fluid therapy and skin grafting has increased the likelihood of survival of major burn injuries. Scarring from burn injuries is permanent, but can often be improved with reconstructive procedures.
The American Burn Association specifies guidelines defining the types of injuries, which should be referred to specialists:
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•Second-degree burns greater than 10 percent of the total body surface area (TBSA).
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•Burns that involve the face, hands, feet, genitalia, perineum or major joints
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•Third-degree burns in any age group
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•Electrical burns, including lightning injury
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•Chemical burns
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•Inhalation injury
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•Burn injury in patients with pre-existing medical disorders that could complicate management, prolong recovery or affect mortality
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•Any patients with burns and trauma, such as fractures, in which the burn injury poses the greatest risk of disease or mortality. In such cases, if the trauma poses the greater immediate risk, the patient may be initially stabilized in a trauma center before being transferred to a burn unit. Physician judgment will be necessary in such situations and should be in concert with the regional medical control plan and triage protocols.
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•Burned children in hospitals without qualified personnel or equipment for the care of children
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•Burn injury in patients who will require special social, emotional or long-term rehabilitative intervention
