|
Overview :
A trauma patient
may be triaged to a burn unit if certain findings are
present.
Criteria for
triage of a patient to a burn unit:
(1) third degree (full thickness) burns
(any age, with no threshold mentioned)
(2) second degree (partial thickness)
burns > 10% body surface area (any age)
(3) child with second degree burns of any
extent in a hospital without qualified personnel or special equipment for
handling burns
(4) burns involving special areas (face,
hands, feet, genitalia, perineum, major joints)
(5) chemical burns
(6) electrical or lightning
injuries
(7) inhalation
injury
(8) significant comorbid conditions that
could complicate the course
(9) significant
social and/or emotional factors
(10) trauma
patient for whom the burn injury is more serious than other traumatic
injuries
A burn patient
with other traumatic injuries may be stabilized first at a trauma center prior
to transfer to the burn unit.
Ideally the
specific criteria and requirements for transfer between a triage location and a
burn unit should be placed in writing.
| References: | |
Committee on Trauma, American College of
Surgeons. Resources for Optimal Care of the Injured Patient. Chapter 14.
1999.
|
|
|