Office management of minor burns

About 2 million people are burned in the United States each year. About 80% of these are treated as outpatients. Flame burns are the most common type of burn injury in adults, and scald burns are the primary type in children. Primary care providers must be familiar with burn assessment so burn injuries can be triaged appropriately to a regional burn center, an acute care (facility, or office management. Assessment includes extent and depth of burns, location of burns, patient reliability, and the home situation. Office management involves emergency care, debridement and dressings, topical antimicrobials, and pain control. Patient education for care in the home environment is essential for optimal healing.