BURN FLUID MANAGEMENT

Course overview

IN THE UNITED STATES, APPROXIMATELY 500,000 PEOPLE SEEK CARE FOR BURN INJURIES EACH YEAR. FOR CIVILIANS, THESE INJURIES ARE TYPICALLY SUSTAINED IN HOUSE FIRES, MOTOR VEHICLE CRASHES, AND WORK-RELATED ACCIDENTS. IN COMBAT, BURN INJURIES REPRESENT 5% TO 10% OF COMBAT CASUALTIES. THE SEVERITY OF BURNS IS DETERMINED BY THE INTENSITY OF THE THERMAL ENERGY SUSTAINED, DURATION OF EXPOSURE, AND THE AREA OF THE BODY AFFECTED. THESE PARAMETERS DETERMINE WHETHER A PATIENT WILL REQUIRE TREATMENT AT A DEDICATED BURN CENTER. THIS ACTIVITY EMPHASIZES THE IMPORTANCE OF BURN FLUID RESUSCITATION AND HIGHLIGHTS THE ROLE OF THE INTERPROFESSIONAL TEAM IN MANAGING BURN PATIENTS.