Rating burn impairment.

We have described the method of rating impairment published by the American Medical Association (AMA) and the method requested by the Social Security Administration (SSA). For various reasons it will be some time before burn centers will be able to report impairment as easily as they now report length of stay and other parameters, but in time it will come. When it is possible, the methods used will probably not be identical with the AMA method nor the SSA method described previously. But whatever method is used, it will surely incorporate concepts from each and portions of each--and the two exist and are used right now. Therefore, it is useful for burn physicians to understand the two methods and be prepared to use either.