Early management of severe burns

The early management of the severely burnt patient is prioritised according to the needs identified in the primary and secondary surveys.

Airway and breathing support

Consider intubation in patients whose airway is at risk

Intravenous analgesia is the preferred route in severe burns

Fluid resuscitation aims to restore circulating volume and preserve vital organs and tissue perfusion.

The goals of initial wound care are to cool the wound, decontaminate and cover the wound quickly.

A full thickness incision of the circumferential burn

Evaluating the adequacy of fluid resuscitation is fundamental to quality care.

Patients with severe burns are at increased risk of developing hypothermia

Including tetanus immunisation and the insertion of a nasogastric tube