Management of Thermal, Chemical and Electrical Burns in the Emergency Department [V1.0]
Davis, Jamie; Pierce, Denise; Doolan, Aoife; Shelley, Odhran; O'Donoghue, Patricia; McCabe, Aileen
Burn injuries are common and can result in both local effects on the microvasculature, as well
as a systemic response due to chemical inflammatory mediators. It is imperative that serious
complications, including airway compromise, impaired ventilation and significant fluid losses,
are quickly recognised and managed. Thus, clinicians should follow an ABCD approach to
resuscitation. It is also worth noting that fluid replacement and burn surface area are often
over-estimated by clinicians.
There are three major types of burns: thermal, electrical and chemical.
PARAMETERS
Target audience This guideline is intended for clinical staff working in the ED involved
in the management of patients presenting with burns.
Patient population Adult patients (≥16 years old) presenting with a burn.
Exclusion criteria Patients <16 years of age.
AIM
The aim of this document is to provide an evidence-based guideline to clinical staff for the
management of patients presenting to the ED with burns.
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