The goals of initial wound care following severe burn injury are to cool the wound, decontaminate and cover the wound quickly, and minimise heat loss. Definitive wound care will be achieved at the appropriate Burn Service.

First Aid

The gold standard for Burn First Aid is 20 minutes of cool running water which is useful for up to 3 hours following injury. More information regarding Burn First Aid can be found here.

Core body temperature should be monitored when cooling severe burns injuries due to the risk of hypothermia, and cooling should stop if the patient becomes hypothermic.

Use Cling Wrap if Transfer less than 6 hours
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Clean

Clean the wounds with Aqueous Chlorhexidine 0.1% solution or Normal Saline. Decontamination should not delay transfer, and consider simply covering the burn wounds if the patient is otherwise ready for transfer. Decontamination and cleaning can be attended to at the Burn Service on arrival.

Cover

      If Transfer Time is < 6hours:

• Use Plastic Cling Wrap to cover the burn
• Reduces evaporative heat loss and minimises wound dessication
• Allows apply longitudinally or like a sandwich as wrapping it around a swollen limb may have a tourniquet effect

      If Transfer Time is > 6 hours:  

• a dressing should be considered.
• The dressing should absorb exudate – Acticoat or Bactigras are suitable
• Contact the Appropriate burn Service for advice as required

Other Information:

• Once dressings are complete, elevate the affected limb if possible to assist in minimising burn wound oedema
• Place the patient on a burn sheet to absorb any exudate and to allow for minimal adhesion.
• It is important to document if the burns have been contaminated at time of injury or during care eg. if the patient rolled in dirt or jumped into a dam to cool the burns. The risk of potential contamination will inform ongoing Burn Service wound care.