Via practica 11/2005

BURN CARE IN GENERAL PRACTITIONER`S OFFICE

The vast majority of burn injuries are represented by small, or minor burns, which are mostly treated by general practitioners. The most important issue in decision-making of the general practitioner pertaining the selection of the treatment method and/or referral to specialised services, is to establish a correct diagnosis. Factors that need to be taken into account include mechanism of the injury, patient´s age, general condition, and co-morbidities. By considering these factors and setting up the diagnosis, the physician will be able to decide, if he can manage the treatment of the patient by himeslf, or he will need to refer the patient to a specialised physician, usually surgeon, or trauma surgeon, or to burn service. The treatment methods must aim to alleviation of pain, prevention of wound contamination and infection, assurance of optimal conditions for wound healing and prevention of complications. The general practitioner should take care as well of the patien ts with major burns following their release from hospital to home care He should be also capable to detect and diagnose the problems with scars formation and other kind of post-burn sequelae.

Keywords: minor burns – diagnosis, out-patient treatment, topical treatment.