Current attitudes to burns resuscitation in the UK

In recent years, much discussion has occurred regarding the efficacy and safety of using albumin as part of burns resuscitation regimes. The discussion was fuelled in 1998 by the publication of the findings of the Cochrane Injuries Group Albumin Reviewers, Br Med J 1998; 317: 235-240. The current usage of human albumin solutions as part of the burn resuscitation regimes of burns units in the UK was assessed by telephone questionnaire by contacting medical staff from all the burns units in the UK that admit burn patients for resuscitation. Knowledge of the albumin controversy, details of their current resuscitation regimes and recent or planned changes were included in the questionnaire, Most individuals were aware of the albumin controversy. A total of eight units had made changes to their resuscitation regimes since July 1998, although five were still using albumin. Four more were considering making changes, while 13 units that had been using albumin prior to the controversy had made no changes at all. Only three units had stopped using albumin-based colloid altogether. Only one unit was not using albumin prior to the controversy. The implications of these results and possible ways forward are discussed.