2018 Trauma University: Burn Surge: The First 24 Hours-Burn Surge: The First 24 Hours

Burn Surge: The First 24 Hours - handout

Pdf Summary

The document discusses various aspects of burn care in the first 24 hours. It addresses the questions of who a burn patient is, where they can be treated, who can treat them, and what needs to be done first. <br /><br />The first section explains that a burn patient is someone who has suffered an injury from exposure to a mechanical force or an extrinsic agent such as thermal, electrical, chemical, or radioactive sources. Burn injuries can also be combined with trauma injuries. <br /><br />The document then goes on to explain that burn patients can be treated at trauma and burn centers, with the United States having 270 trauma centers and 123 burn centers. However, the availability of burn beds is limited, with only 1,854 beds in burn centers across the country.<br /><br />In terms of who can treat burn patients, there are currently 300 burn surgeons in the US, and 2,250 trauma surgeons. General surgeons, plastic surgeons, and emergency medicine physicians can also provide treatment, but specific training in burn care is not always required in their respective residency programs.<br /><br />The document emphasizes the importance of prompt care for burn patients, as delays in treatment can increase mortality rates. The initial management of burn patients involves stabilizing and triaging them, followed by problem-solving and various procedures.<br /><br />The first priorities in burn care are to resuscitate the patient, rescue them from further harm, remove any harmful substances or objects, and then proceed with reconstruction, rehabilitation, and reintegration.<br /><br />Overall, the document highlights the multidisciplinary nature of burn care, with various healthcare professionals involved, including nurses, counselors, nutritionists, pharmacists, and physical and occupational therapists, among others.<br /><br />Contact information for the author, Dr. Jeffrey E. Carter, is provided at the end of the document.

Keywords

burn care

first 24 hours

burn patient

treatment options

burn centers

trauma centers

burn surgeons

trauma surgeons

prompt care

multidisciplinary approach