No Resuscitation

On occasion, because of age, associated illness, and large burn extent, certain patients have a risk of mortality that exceeds or approaches 100%. In these situations, the family and patient are made aware of the likelihood of survivability as soon as possible after accurate assessment of the burn extent. In these particular situations one often decides that resuscitation of the burn patient is not indicated, and a palliative course is taken. It is extremely difficult for individuals not familiar with burn assessment and care to make this decision with enough confidence to obviate the need for transport of the patient to a more specialized facility. Unfortunately, this often causes unrealistic hope in those family members or loved ones close to the patient. For this reason, it is imperative that accurate assessment of burn extent be carried out, and phone consultation with the specialized facility staff be undertaken, to give those individuals the necessary information regarding severity and ultimate prognosis at the outset.

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