Christiaens et al listed the criteria used in Belgium for triaging patients to a burn center. The authors are from the Belgian Healthcare Knowledge Centre in Brussels.
Based on burn area:
(1) third degree burn > 5% total body surface area (TBSA)
(2) second and third degree burns > 20 % TBSA
(3) second and third degree burns > 10 % TBSA AND (age <= 10 or > 49 years)
Based on high risk burn features:
(1) significant burns that involve face, hands, feet, genitalia, perineum or the major joints
(2) electrical or chemical burns
(3) inhalation injuries
(4) burn injuries in patients with pre-existing medical disorders that could complicate treatment management or influence the recovery or the mortality
(5) burn injuries in a patient who will require special social or emotional intervention, including neglected or abused children
(6) burn associated with concomitant significant trauma or burn with significant local complications
Epidermal necrolysis:
(1) Lyell syndrome (toxic epidermal necrolysis or Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome)
(2) major traumatic or medical epidermal necrolysis (gangrene, necrotizing fasciitis) > 10 % TBSA
