Advances in emergency care for burn disorders: Treatment strategies and outcomes

Abstract

Background: Effective management of burn injuries is crucial for optimizing patient outcomes, yet challenges remain in prehospital care and accurate assessment. This article reviews the advancements in emergency burn care, focusing on the prehospital management by Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) in Switzerland and the implications for North American practices. Aim: To explore and compare burn care strategies, particularly in prehospital and initial hospital settings, and to evaluate updates in fluid resuscitation protocols and burn size estimation techniques. Methods: The study incorporates a decade-long review of HEMS data from Switzerland and examines North American practices, including referral criteria and transport strategies. Analysis of recent studies on air transport overtriage and updated fluid resuscitation formulas, such as the Parkland and Modified Brooke formulas, is also included. Results: Findings indicate a high degree of consistency in burn size assessment in Switzerland, contrasting with varying results in North America where overtriage and inaccuracies in burn size estimation are prevalent. Fluid resuscitation protocols have been refined to address these issues, with updated ABLS guidelines reflecting advancements in technology and evidence-based practices. Conclusion: Enhanced prehospital care and accurate burn size estimation are critical for effective burn management.