management of burns

WHO/EHT/CPR 2004 reformatted. 2007 WHO Surgical Care at the District Hospital 2003 1 Management of Burns The burns patient has the same priorities as all other trauma patients. • Assess: - Airway - Breathing: beware of inhalation and rapid airway... More

WHO/EHT/CPR 2004 reformatted. 2007 WHO Surgical Care at the District Hospital 2003 1 Management of Burns The burns patient has the same priorities as all other trauma patients. • Assess: - Airway - Breathing: beware of inhalation and rapid airway compromise - Circulation: fluid replacement - Disability: compartment syndrome - Exposure: percentage area of burn. • Essential management points: - Stop the burning - ABCDE - Determine the percentage area of burn (Rule of 9’s) - Good IV access and early fluid replacement. • The severity of the burn is determined by: - Burned surface area - Depth of burn - Other considerations. • Morbidity and mortality rises with increasing burned surface area. It also rises with increasing age so that even small burns may be fatal in elderly people. Continued next page Less