Patient selection: burn victim
Decision: referral to a burn center
Indications for referral – based on burn severity:
(1) overall burn area > 10% of total body surface area (TBSA)
(2) full thickness burn (third degree) > 5% of total body surface area if adult or > 2% if pediatric
(3) circumferential burn of chest or limbs
(4) burn of special areas (face, hand, feet, perineum, genitalis, over major joints)
Indications for referral – other factors:
(1) age of the patient at extremes of life (young child, older adult)
(2) inhalation injury
(3) chemical or electrical burn
(4) burn caused by self-harm
(5) burn associated with assault
(6) concurrent trauma
(7) pre-existing comorbid condition(s) that may complicate management or worsen prognosis
