Burn disease - the possibility of limiting its effects in the prehospital phase.

Burns represent a significant percentage of injuries amongst trauma patients. The risks from a burn wound depends on the causative factor, time and place of exposure, extent and severity of the burn. Classification according to the American Burn Association indicates that severe burns should be diagnosed from as low as 10% of Third-degree total body surface burn. The burn disease develops progressively through shock, catabolic and anabolic phases until the development of Multiple Organ Dysfunction Syndrome (MODS). Actions performed in the pre-hospital phase are crucial for the effectiveness of the therapeutic process. Wrongful first aid performed by a witnesses of the event may worsen the patient's condition and lead to secondary infection. Studies available in the literature indicate the use of egg whites, yoghurts and ice as means of first aid. Educational projects to promote good practice, using products such as hydrogel dressings, seem therefore necessary. Medical personnel should quickly assess the extent and severity of burns. Furthermore, one ought to implement volume-calculated fluid therapy, protect the respiratory tract and strive to ensure thermal comfort. It seems mandatory to assess the extent of pain and administer appropriate pharmacological measures to perform analgosedation. Due to the limited number of specialist burn treatment centres, paramedics should consider indications for hospitalization and the use of Medical Air Rescue (MAR) enabling rapid patient allocation.

Abstract licence: CC BY-NC

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