Emergency pre-hospital care of burn patients.

Intensive care and the surgical therapy of burn injuries have made significant advancements. The immediate care on the scene of the accident, however, is not uniform. There is no 'golden hour' which will decide the further clinical process. The acute estimate of the percentage of the extent of the burns is of little relevance and does not facilitate the admission to a burn unit. The emergency calculation of the volume of intravenous infusion is not advisable. The choice of transport has no discernible impact on the prognosis of the patient. Avoiding hypothermia and perceiving associated trauma can be of crucial prognostic importance in the pre-hospital care of burn patients. Detailed knowledge about the circumstances of the injury is of exceeding importance. Copyright 2009 Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (Scottish charity number SC005317) and Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.