Criteria of the American Burn Association (ABA) for Sepsis in a Burn Patient

Patient selection: burn

Sepsis should be considered when >= 3 of the following are present:

(1) body temperature < 36.5°C or > 39°C

(2) progressive tachycardia with pulse > 110 beats per minute

(3) progressive tachypnea

(3a) if not ventilated: > 25 breaths per minute

(3b) if ventilated: minute ventilation > 12 liters per minute

(4) thrombocytopenia (< 100,000 per µL) if >= 3 days after resuscitation

(5) hyperglycemia in the absence of pre-existing diabetes mellitus)

(6) inability to continue enteral feedings > 24 hours due to complications

Hyperglycemia may be manifest as:

(1) untreated plasma glucose > 200 mg/dL

(2) > 7 units of insulin per hour by intravenous drip

(3) insulin resistance (increase in insulin requirements > 25% over 24 hours)

Complications of enteral feedings may include:

(1) uncontrollable diarrhea (> 2,500 mL per day)

(2) high gastric residuals (>= 2 times the feeding rate)

(3) abdominal distention