THERMAL BURNS

Course overview

THERMAL BURNS ARE SKIN INJURIES CAUSED BY EXCESSIVE HEAT, TYPICALLY FROM CONTACT WITH HOT SURFACES, HOT LIQUIDS, STEAM, OR FLAME. MOST BURNS ARE MINOR AND PATIENTS CAN BE TREATED AS OUTPATIENTS OR AT LOCAL HOSPITALS. APPROXIMATELY 6.5 PERCENT OF ALL BURN VICTIMS ARE TREATED IN SPECIALIZED BURN CENTERS. THE DECISION TO TRANSFER AND TREAT AT BURN CENTERS IS BASED ON THE EXTENT OF BODY SURFACE AREA BURNED, THE DEPTH OF THE BURNS AND INDIVIDUAL PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS SUCH AS AGE, ADDITIONAL INJURIES OR OTHER MEDICAL PROBLEMS. THIS ACTIVITY WILL REVIEW BURN EVALUATION AND MANAGEMENT AND HIGHLIGHT THE ROLE OF THE INTERPROFESSIONAL TEAM IN RECOGNIZING AND TREATING THERMAL BURNS.