Guideline for Transfer of Patients to Burn Centers
The American Burn Association and the American College of Surgeons
recommend transfer to a burn center for all acutely burned patients who
meet any of the following criteria (Questions concerning specific
patients should be resolved by consultation with the burn center
physician):
Partial thickness burns >= 20% Total Body Surface Area (TBSA) in patients aged 10 - 50 years old.
Partial thickness burns >=10% TBSA in children aged 10 or adults aged 50 years old.
Full-thickness burns >= 5% TBSA in patients of any age.
Patients with partial or full-thickness burns of the hands, feet, face, eyes, ears, perineum, and/or major joints.
Patients with high-voltage electrical injuries, including lightning injuries.
Patients with significant burns from caustic chemicals.
Patients with burns complicated by multiple trauma in which the burn
injury poses the greatest risk of morbidity or mortality. In such
cases, if the trauma poses the greater immediate risk, the patient may
be treated initially in a trauma center until stable before being
transferred to a burn center. Physician judgment will be necessary in
such situations and should be in concert with the regional medical
control plan and triage protocols.
Patients with burns who suffer inhalation injury.
Patients with significant ongoing medical disorders that could complicate management, prolong recovery, or affect mortality.
Hospitals without qualified personnel or equipment for the care of
children should transfer children with burns to a burn center with
these capabilities.
Burn Injury in patients who will require special social/emotional and
/or long-term rehabilitative support, including cases involving
suspected child abuse, substance abuse, etc.