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Lecture #4 Notes: Burns
Life Support
Learning Objectives
After this lecture, you should know the:
Epidemiology (i.e. incidence) of burns
Anatomy of the skin
Classification of burns
Jackson’s Burn wound model
ABCDE of burns and fluid resuscitation
The rule of 9
Treatment options
Epidemiology
Burns range in severity some burns do not require medical attention or treatment by a
doctor, while others do
Annually in the Netherlands:
80,000 burns are treated by general practitioners
6,000 burns are treated in the ED
1,800 hospital admissions
600 admissions in Dutch burn centers
o 3 burn centers: Rotterdam, Groningen, and Beverwijk
What causes a burn?
Burns can only occur at temperatures above 40 ° C
Temperature and duration of exposure
o Whether a person will get a burn depends on
how high the temperature is and how long the
skin is exposed to the agent
Cause of burns:
o Scalds
Thermal burns caused by hot liquids or
gases (e.g. steam or boiling water)
o Fire/flames
o Contact
Example touching a stove
o Electrical injury
Example lightning
o Chemicals
Chemical burns occur when living tissue is exposed to a corrosive
substance, such as a strong acid or base (e.g. laundry detergent)
Lecture #4 Notes: Burns
Life Support
Learning Objectives
After this lecture, you should know the:
Epidemiology (i.e. incidence) of burns
Anatomy of the skin
Classification of burns
Jackson’s Burn wound model
ABCDE of burns and fluid resuscitation
The rule of 9
Treatment options
Epidemiology
Burns range in severity some burns do not require medical attention or treatment by a
doctor, while others do
Annually in the Netherlands:
80,000 burns are treated by general practitioners
6,000 burns are treated in the ED
1,800 hospital admissions
600 admissions in Dutch burn centers
o 3 burn centers: Rotterdam, Groningen, and Beverwijk
What causes a burn?
Burns can only occur at temperatures above 40 ° C
Temperature and duration of exposure
o Whether a person will get a burn depends on
how high the temperature is and how long the
skin is exposed to the agent
Cause of burns:
o Scalds
Thermal burns caused by hot liquids or
gases (e.g. steam or boiling water)
o Fire/flames
o Contact
Example touching a stove
o Electrical injury
Example lightning
o Chemicals
Chemical burns occur when living tissue is exposed to a corrosive
substance, such as a strong acid or base (e.g. laundry detergent)
