QAS burn guidelines

What is the most common cause of burn injuries?

Flame burns and scalds.

What complication should be considered with explosions?

Concomitant blast injuries.

What is a clinical danger of airway/inhalation burns?

Can cause respiratory compromise requiring early airway management.

What is a systemic risk in major burns?

Fluid/electrolyte abnormalities over hours, with risk of shock and multi-organ failure.

What toxic gases are associated with enclosed fires?

Carbon monoxide and cyanide.

What are the features of superficial burns?

Erythema, brisk cap refill, painful.

Describe the features of superficial dermal burns.

Moist, red, blistered, brisk cap refill, painful.

What characterizes deep dermal burns?

White slough/red mottled, sluggish/absent cap refill, painful.

What are the features of full thickness burns?

Dry, charred/whitish, absent cap refill, painless.

What indicates possible airway involvement in burns?

Facial/oral burns, singed nasal hair, carbonaceous sputum, stridor/hoarseness, tachypnoea.

Why is circulatory shock in early burns suspicious?

It suggests associated injury, such as blast trauma.

What risk do circumferential burns pose to limbs?

Eschar can restrict blood flow, leading to ischaemia.

What are some criteria for burns requiring referral to a burns unit?

Partial thickness >20% TBSA, >10% TBSA in

What is the PHIFTEEN-B formula used for?

Calculating fluid resuscitation volume.

What is the principle behind burn cooling?

Cool the burn while warming the patient to avoid hypothermia.

What surgical procedure may be necessary for circumferential burns with compromise?

Escharotomy.

What are two common methods to estimate TBSA?

Wallace Rule of Nines and Lund-Browder chart.

What body reference approximates 1% TBSA?

The patient’s palm.

Should isolated erythema be included in TBSA calculations?

No.

What are the initial safety priorities in burn management?

Ensure self and bystander safety.

What key interventions should be done during transport after a burn?

Oxygen, IPPV if required, analgesia, IV fluids (PHIFTEEN-B), frequent airway assessments, midazolam if needed.

What is the burn cooling guideline?

Running water for ≥20 minutes, max 60 minutes.

What should be avoided during burn cooling?

Hypothermia; cover and warm the patient.

What is the best covering for burns?

Cling wrap.

When can Burn Aid dressings be used?

In adults: <10% TBSA; in children: <5% TBSA, and only if no circumferential/major burns requiring specialist unit.

Adult burn percentage = entire head and neck

9%

Adult/Child burn percentage = upper back

9%

Adult/Child burn percentage = Upper front

9%

Adult/Child burn percentage = Lower front

9%

Adult/Child burn percentage = Entire arm

9%

Adult/Child burn percentage = Lower back and buttokcs

9%

Adult burn percentage = Entire thigh

9%

Adult burn percentage = Entire leg and knee

9%

Adult burn percentage = Genitalia

1%

Child burn percentage = Entire leg

14%

Child burn percentage = Entire head and neck

18%