| Regional Emergency Medical Advisory Committee of New York City
Prehospital Basic Life Support Protocols
Copyright January 1996 (8/96)
|
428 BURNS
Monitor the airway.
Observe spinal injury precautions, if appropriate. (See Protocol #421.)
Administer oxygen.
| NOTE: | PATIENTS WITH INHALATION INJURY SHOULD RECEIVE HUMIDIFIED OXYGEN (IF AVAILABE) AND REQUIRE ADVANCED LIFE SUPPORT ASSISTANCE.
|
Stop the burning process.
Prevent contamination of the wound. Avoid making contact with non-sterile materials if possible. Do not remove clothing adherent to the wound.
Monitor breathing for adequacy.
Assess for shock and treat, if appropriate. (See Protocol #415.)
For Special Considerations, see below.
Calculate the percentage and degree of affected areas. (See Appendix G.)
Cover the affected areas with saline-moistened, sterile dressings, then wrap in dry, sterile sheets.
Maintain body temperature.
| NOTE: | LARGE BODY SURFACE AREA INVOLVEMENT MAY LEAD TO RAPID HEAT LOSS IN THE BURN PATIENT.
|
Transport. (See Appendices G and H.)
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS
THERMAL BURNS
Cool hot or smoldering skin (up to 20% of the body surface area at a time) with cool water, Normal Saline (0.9 NS), or saline-moistened, sterile dressings.
CHEMICAL BURNS
| NOTE: | TAKE PRECAUTIONS TO AVOID CONTAMINATION OF YOURSELF AND OTHERS.
|
Obtain the name of the product, if possible.
Remove any contaminated clothing or personal articles.
Brush dry agents off the skin, then flush with water for at least 10 minutes.
Blot any excessive liquids from the skin, then flush liquid chemical agents with water:
- From the skin for at least 10 minutes.
- From the eyes for at least 20 minutes.
ELECTRICAL BURNS
| NOTE: | BE ALERT FOR CERVICAL SPINE AND OTHER SKELETAL INJURIES.
|
Begin Basic Cardiac Life Support procedures, if appropriate. (See Protocol #421.)
Request Advanced Life Support assistance.
Locate and bandage the obvious entrance and exit wounds.
Treat skeletal injuries, if appropriate. (See Protocol #425.)
