ANZ journal of surgery
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ANZ journal of surgery · Oct 2011
Comparative StudyProfile, transport and outcomes of severe burns patients within an inclusive, regionalized trauma system.
Severe burns represent a challenging and complex clinical presentation, requiring highly specialized burns centres that are staffed and equipped appropriately. The integration of burns care into trauma systems has been recommended. This study describes the profile, transfer and outcomes of severe burns within an inclusive, regionalized trauma system. ⋯ An inclusive trauma system with burns services co-located at the major trauma services resulted in almost complete referral of severe burns cases to burns services for management. Half of the cases arrived at the burns services directly from the scene of injury, highlighting the importance of ongoing clinical education about the initial management of severe burns at non-burns service hospitals.