TRANSFER  CRITERIA

Burn services are provided throughout the country and are not only limited to Burns units or  Burn centres although not all burn injuries require admission to a Burns Unit.

The stabilisation protocol has listed the following transfer criteria:

  • All burn patients less than 1 year of age
  • All burn patients from 1 – 2 years of age with burns > 5%  total body surface area (TBSA)
  • Patients in any age group with deep partial thickness burns of any size
  • Patients older than 2 years with partial-thickness burns greater than 10% TBSA
  • Patients with burns of special areas – face, hands, feet, genitalia, perineum or involving major joints
  • Patients with electrical burns, including lightning burns
  • Chemical burn patients
  • Patients with inhalation injury or suspected inhalation injury resulting from fire or scald burns
  • Patients with circumferential burns of the limbs or chest
  • Burn injury patients with pre-existing medical disorders  that could complicate management, prolong recovery or affect mortality
  • Any patient with burns and concomitant trauma
  • Pregnant patient that has sustained a Burn
  • Paediatric burn cases where child abuse is suspected non accidental burns
  • Burn patients with treatment requirements exceeding the capabilities of the referring centre
  • Septic burn wound cases

It must be noted that each unit or centre has their own admission criteria and it is therefore recommended that the referring doctor calls the Burns unit before transfer.

References
1.   Karpelowsky, Jonathan & Wallis, Lee & Madaree, Anil & Rode, Heinz. (2007). South African Burn Society burn stabilisation protocol. South African Medical Journal. 97. 574-7