Severe burns
A person with severe burns has suffered a major trauma injury and must undergo routine trauma care.
In Victoria, severe burns include:
- More than 20% TBSA burns
- High voltage electrical injury (more than 1000 volts)
- Inhalation injury with or without dermal injury
To commence care, conduct a primary and secondary trauma survey so that immediate life-threatening conditions can be identified. Then emergency or early management can proceed.
Primary survey
The first step in the initial assessment of a seriously injured patient — focuses on identifying life-threatening problems.
Secondary survey
Following the primary survey, the secondary survey focuses on examining for specific injuries.
Early management of severe burns
Prioritised according to the needs identified in the primary and secondary surveys.
Important considerations and FAQs
Be aware of hypothermia. It is easy to forget to keep the patient warm.
Emergency Contacts
In the case of a severe burns emergency, please call 000
For ambulance services requiring acute transfer:
- Adult Retrieval Victoria 1800 368 661
- Paediatric Emergency Transport 1300 137 650
Burns Services and Referral
There are two specilised burns centres in Victoria:
- Victorian Adult Burns Service (VABS) at the Alfred
- Burns Unit at the Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne
These specialist burns units are located within designated state Major Trauma Services (MTS) and are staffed and equipped approriately to manage burns.
Refer to our service
Victorian Adult Burn Service transfer criteria
Less common severe burns
Find out how to treat chemical burns, including chemical ocular burns and electrical burns.
Severe electrical burns
Severe chemical burns
Trauma Victoria Burns Guidelines
These guidelines focus on the burn-specific components of the critical hours of care before arrival at the burn service. Their principles can also be applied to significant, but less severe burns between 10 – 19%.
Trauma Victoria also provides a guide, if you are looking for other major trauma guidelines.