Burns: a comprehensive assessment and treatment approach

Abstract

Burn injuries evoke a systemic body response that may lead to an immediate high mortality rate in the absence of adequate initial management. There are few burn units in South Africa with a multi-professional team and resources to treat the burn patient. The lack of exposure of young doctors to this injury contributes to inadequate initial assessment, management and proper transfer to the referral units. The approach to the burn patient should follow well established guidelines. Greater divulgation of the guidelines is necessary to improve the management of, and to ensure better outcomes for, the victims of burn injuries.