burns calculator
Last reviewed 01/2018
The Burns Calculator provides a fluid replacement protocol for the 8 hours following the injury.
It is designed for use by accident service doctors with limited experience in the management of burns patients (1).
It is assumed that by 8 hours post-injury a burns patient will be receiving specialist care.
On admission the staff must ascertain the following:
- the time of the injury
- the percentage total body area burned
- an estimate of the patient's weight
Using this information the published tables provide the volume of intravenous Hartmann's solution required.
Reference:
- Milner, S. M., Hodgetts, T. J. & Rylah, L. T. A. The Burns Calculator: a simple proposed guide for fluid resuscitation. Lancet 1993, 342, p. 1089-1091.