Regional Emergency Medical Advisory Committee of New York City
Certified First Responder Support Protocols
Copyright January 1996 (8/96)

328 BURNS


Monitor the airway.

Observe spinal injury precautions, if appropriate. (See Protocol #321.)

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 #315.)

For Special Considerations, see below.

Cover the affected areas with 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 in accordance with first response agency policy.

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS

THERMAL BURNS

Cool hot or smoldering skin (up to 20% of the body surface area at a time) with cool water, or 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:


ELECTRICAL BURNS

NOTE:

BE ALERT FOR CERVICAL SPINE AND OTHER SKELETAL INJURIES.



Begin Basic Cardiac Life Support procedures, if appropriate. (See Protocol #303.)

Observe spinal injury precautions, if appropriate. (See Protocol #321.)

Request Advanced Life Support assistance.

Locate and bandage the obvious entrance and exit wounds.

Treat skeletal injuries, if appropriate. (See Protocol #325.)

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