Introduction Show
Aim Definition of Terms Assessment - ABCD Management - Fluids and Burn Dressings Companion Documents Links Evidence Table References IntroductionChildren are vulnerable to sustaining a burn injury due to their physiological, psychological, and developmental differences. Burn injuries have a significant impact on paediatric patients and may affect a range of body systems. The impact of these injuries on children and families is often long lasting. As the injury itself and required treatment often causes distress, pain and anxiety, appropriate management by nurses is essential in providing family centered care. Ongoing care requirements are based on the size, depth, anatomical site and mechanism of injury. AimThe aim of this clinical guideline is to assist and support nursing staff at The Royal Children’s Hospital to plan and deliver care to children with burn injuries, across all departments including: Emergency, Paediatric Intensive Care Unit, Inpatient Units, Theatres and Outpatients. Definition of terms
AssessmentBurn injuries cause a significant insult on the body and a thorough ABCD assessment, followed by a full head to toe and focused assessment are vital to ensure clinical issues/deterioration are identified early and appropriate management initiated. See Burns- Acute management CPG for further details of burn injury assessment. Assessment of the pediatric patient with a burn injury should occur on admission and regularly throughout care. Detailed information regarding completion and documentation of ABCD, head to toe and focused assessments can be located on the Nursing Assessment Clinical Guideline. Burns specific information is outlined below. Airway and BreathingAssessment and monitoring of airway patency and breathing should be carefully observed as patients at risk of inhalation burns can deteriorate up to 72 hours post burn injury, particularly if they have:
If inhalation burns are suspected high flow oxygen therapy via a Hudson mask should be administered to the patient and
changes/abnormal findings reported to the treating team immediately for further assessment and management. CirculationChildren who sustain burns injuries are at increased risk of circulatory compromise due to significant fluid loss and fluid shifts, these patients must be closely monitored for:
Other circulatory concerns include:
Pain assessmentDetailed
information regarding paediatric pain assessment can be located on the Pain Assessment Nursing Clinical Guideline. Information regarding procedural pain management can be located on the Procedural Pain Management Clinical Guideline.
Wound assessmentAssessment of the burn injury should occur on the initial presentation to the Royal Children’s Hospital as well as prior to completing wound care throughout the inpatient stay and outpatient visits. Burn injuries can take up to 10 days to truly present the depth and extent of injury so reassessment is vital. As burn injuries heal accurate wound assessment will ensure wound management is altered as needed to ensure appropriate wound care continues to be delivered to the patient. Wound assessment of a burn injury includes (available on Electronic medical Records):
HistoryA thorough patient history should be collected on admission to hospital.
In addition to this information a detailed patient and family history should also be obtained. Further information regarding this can be located on the Nursing Assessment Nursing Clinical Guideline. Non accidental injuries must be considered when the history does not match with the injury or inconsistencies with the history/story occur. Refer to medical staff & social work. Victorian Forensic Paediatric Medical Service (VPFMS) can also be notified.
Social historyBurn injuries are traumatic and life altering events which can significantly impact the patient and their family. Early support from social work, contact with CLT and chaplains should be offered to the child, siblings and
family. It may also be appropriate to consider referrals to mental health/psychology. ManagementFirst AidCompletion of first aid for a child who has sustained a burn injury is an important initial aspect of care as it assists with pain relief as well as minimising the progression of tissue damage. First aid is effective for up to three hours post time of injury. If
appropriate first aid was not initiated and it is still within the 3 hour time frame post burn injury, first aid should be completed as outlined below, prior to any wound care:
Further information regarding burn injury first aid including burns to the eye area and chemical
burns can be found on the Burns Clinical Practice Guideline. FluidsFor initial fluid management see Burns Acute Management CPG Burn injuries greater than 10% TBSA and including the dermis result in circulatory compromise secondary to fluid loss via damaged tissue, widespread vasodilation as well as increase capillary permeability and fluid shifts (third spacing). This can result in hypovolemia leading to burns shock. Therefore it is vital that adequate fluid is administered to the patient in combination with ongoing circulatory and fluid balance assessment.
AnalgesiaBurn pain can be extremely intense and distressing for paediatric patients and can also be challenging to manage due to the individual experience and its unique characteristics. Initial and ongoing pain management is vital to ensure patient comfort, maximise healing and minimise risk of mental trauma/post-traumatic stress.
Burn pain experienced by patients is likely to increase during procedures such as dressing changes. Management of pain during burn dressing changes is discussed in detail below ( preparing for a dressing change). Preparation for Burns DressingPreparation of patient and familyBurn dressing changes can produce feelings of anxiety and distress in both patients and their families. It is very important that both patients and families are physically and emotionally prepared and well informed regarding the procedure and the pain management options.
For further information, staff and families can access reducing children’s discomfort during tests and procedures kids health info factsheet. Assessment AssessmentChildren who are planned to undergo a burns dressing change should have an ABCD assessment completed along with pain assessment prior to the dressing change commencing. Pre Medication/ Pain ReliefBurns dressing changes can be painful and distressing for children.
A combination of the above options may be ordered and utilised to provide pain relief. Further information regarding this can be located on the Procedural Sedation – ward and ambulatory care procedure or through consultation with CPMS or comfort kids. Pain Assessment should occur continuously throughout the procedure by observing the behaviour and comfort level of the child as well as using an appropriate pain assessment scale. Staffing RequirementsTo complete a burns dressing change in a safe and time efficient manner which minimises patient and family distress, staffing requirements must be considered.
All roles must be designated prior to commencement of dressing change and the patient should remain in line of sight to staff at all times. For further information refer to the Sedation and Procedural Sedation Guideline
Ward and Ambulatory Care Areas procedure. Preparation of environment and equipment
Staff RolesPrior to the procedure a team leader should be allocated. Other team member’s roles/responsibilities ie. Dressings nurse, sedationist, observations nurse, hygiene nurses should also be communicated. Burns dressingStaff should adhere to the aseptic technique procedure for all aspects of wound care outlined below. Removal of previous dressingRemoval of the previous dressing should not damage the healing burn wound and should be as atraumatic as possible. The use of an adhesive remover, normal saline or water will assist with gentle removal of previous dressings. Wound ManagementClean the wound using a soft wipe with water, normal saline, pH neutral soap or cetrimide (please note cetrimide is not to be used on face or scalp). Enough pressure should be applied to debride the damaged skin and remove exudate, loose skin and slough. Personal HygieneEnsure the patient’s personal hygiene is thoroughly attended to if the burns dressing change is
occurring in the bath or shower. If the patient is not having a bath use a sponge to clean non dressed areas. Application of Burns Dressing
Additional products may be utilised on burns wounds at the discretion of medical and nursing staff. For further information regarding the above and additional products please refer to the wound care guideline. Specific body areasFacial Burn’s CareFacial burns may require regular wound care including cleansing followed by application of paraffin cream. Parents should be encouraged to be involved in providing this care. If dressings are utilised on the face balaclavas can be made from large tubifast and used to secure dressing products. Additional information can be located on the Burns Medical Treatment. Hand Burn’s CareAny dressing applied to fingers, should ensure fingers are taped individually. Padding must be applied to web spaces to prevent further friction/pressure area injury. Initially fingers which have circumferential burns should be dressed with the finger tips exposed to monitor neurovascular status. Once oedema has decreased the finger tips can be enclosed in the dressing. Referral to hand therapy is vital. DocumentationA summary post dressing change should be documented including: pain relief/ sedation and effect, non-pharmacological techniques and effect, parental involvement, wound assessment, dressing product utilised, staff present (including allied health, interpreter etc.) and plan of ongoing care. See Nursing Documentation Clinical Guideline for further information. NutritionNutrition plays a vital role in burn healing, minimising complications of care and meeting the increased metabolic demands associated with paediatric patients with burns. A diet high in protein, calcium, energy and micronutrients (in particular Zinc and Vitamin C) has been shown to be most beneficial for wound healing. Children should be encouraged to eat and drink foods high in these nutrients and nutritional supplements such as Sustagen™ may also be required. Insertion of a nasogastric tube and commencement of enteral feeds should be considered for children who sustain significant burn injuries and/or facial burns and are unable to tolerate adequate oral intake. Where possible feeds should commence within 6 - 8 hours of the burn injury. Referral to the Burns Team Dietician is recommended for all patients with significant burn injuries, facial burns, infants as well as patients who are not tolerating adequate oral intake. Management of ItchItching is a common and debilitating issue in the healing phase of a burn injury. The following may assist in reducing itch: - Advise child and parent to avoid scratching - short finger nails will assist in this. - Consider use of antihistamines i.e. Periactin or Certizdine - Avoid overheating the child - Fragrance free moisturiser (Sorbolene™) may assist. - Distraction will play a big role in patient comfort Scar management:Strategies to reduce scar development post burn injury include:
Physiotherapy / occupational therapy – splinting & positioning:Physiotherapy (PT) and Occupational therapy (OT) may be necessary throughout both inpatient stay and outpatient management for patients who have sustained a burn injury.
Concerns regarding splinting and positioning regimes should be documented and reported back to PT/OT so as appropriate alterations to regimes can be
initiated. Discharge planningThe decision for a patient to be discharged should have involvement from the burns multidisciplinary team and family meetings may be beneficial for planning purposes. Early discussion regarding discharge may facilitate a smoother transition home for the family. Children may be ready for discharge when:
The following should be discussed with the family and child prior to discharge
Companion documents
Links
Evidence table The evidence table for this nursing guideline can be found
here. Please remember to read the disclaimer. The development of this nursing guideline was coordinated by Kate Glassford, Nurse Coordinator & Clinical Nurse Specialist Platypus Ward, and approved by the Nursing Clinical Effectiveness Committee. Updated July 2022. Which of the following is a priority when providing care for a patient with an electrical burn?The number one priority is to treat the patient without putting rescuers at risk of injury. Immediate treatment includes the following: Remove the patient from the source of electricity (shut off the power source)
When treating a burn the first priority would be to?1. Cool the burn under cold running water for at least 20 minutes. Cooling the burn will reduce pain, swelling and the risk of scarring. The sooner and longer a burn is cooled with cold running water, the less the impact of the injury.
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