In the UK, around 250,000 people are burnt each year. Approximately 175,000 attend at Accident and Emergency Departments but only about 10% of these will need to be admitted as an in-patient at a specialised burn service.
To ensure that patients are assessed correctly and referred appropriately to a specialised burn service, the LSEBN has developed a series of burn referral criteria
The criteria for referral is age specific, with a separate guideline for adults, children and young people and infants. The guidance provides general information about early wound management, including resuscitation, fluid balance and dressings.
The following links provide access to the agreed referral criteria:
Patients who meet the criteria and require a transfer to a specialised burn service should have the necessary transfer documentation completed.
