Burns - Initial Management Disease Summary

Overview

Burns are injuries that result from exposure to the skin to heat sources, as stated in the Introduction section.

According to the World Health Organization, approximately 11 million people sustain burn injuries each year. A detailed discussion about the prevalence of burns is in the Epidemiology section.

The Pathophysiology section states that major burn injuries cause both local and systemic effects. The developmental process of burns in affected patients is in this section.

Other conditions that are associated with increased chances of burn injuries are in the Risk Factors section.

The Classification section discusses the different types of burns and classifications based on the depths of burns.

Burns - Initial Management_Disease Summary

History and Physical Examination

The History section enumerates important information that must be obtained in patients with burn injury, while the Physical Examination section emphasizes the need to assess the degree, site, and extent of the burn.

Diagnosis

Alarm signs and indications for referral to a burn unit of patients with burn injuries are enumerated in the Screening section along with the American Burn Association and European Burns Association burn center transfer criteria.

Discussion on the routine examinations in the emergency department for burn patients is in the Laboratory Tests and Ancillaries section. 

The Imaging section discusses other tests that may be helpful in the evaluation of burn patients.

Other conditions that should be ruled out in the diagnosis of burns in affected patients are listed in the Differential Diagnosis section.

Management

Primary and secondary surveys and management are discussed in the Evaluation section.

General therapy principles and goals of burn wound management are in the Principles of Therapy section.

The Nonpharmacological section includes initial therapy and maintenance treatment that should be done to burn patients. Things to educate the patient, parent, or guardian are also included in this section.

The Pharmacological Therapy section discusses in detail the symptomatic and antibiotic therapy, dressings, wound cleansing, and vaccines in the management of burn patients.

Surgical options such as debridement, escharotomy, temporary burn wound coverage, and skin grafts are discussed in the Surgery section.