Background info: I wasn't at this call. Propane tank explosion, 2nd and 3rd degree burns over 60%+ of the body, it was bad. Patient is alert and oriented, screaming in pain. ALS already en route, arrived quickly. Medflight en route.
I like to think about calls other crews go on, just to see if my treatment train of thought works differently. From a BLS standpoint, I was assuming high flow O2 (no OPA due to the alert factor, no NPA since well, likely unnecessary. The airway is patent for the moment), cut off all non-burned on clothing, and cover the patient's body with sterile burn dressings and blankets to preserve body heat.
However, the BLS crew on scene, and forewarning, I don't know if this was at the direction of ALS or independent action, said they began soaking trauma dressings in sterile water and began covering the burns.
Please, and I'd love to know if I'm wrong, I was taught that in cases of severe, high percentage burns, NOT to soak the burn areas and instead focus on preserving body heat, as with burns that severe, the body will have issues in some fashion. Soaking dressings and covering the burns I was taught for minor, sub 10% body area burns. I would think soaking dressings on someone with over half their body burnt would maybe, MAYBE, help comfort the patient, but ultimately would be bad due to the body heat loss.
Opinions? Please, I'm very curious on this. I love to learn and have yet to see a scenario like this. Thank you.
I like to think about calls other crews go on, just to see if my treatment train of thought works differently. From a BLS standpoint, I was assuming high flow O2 (no OPA due to the alert factor, no NPA since well, likely unnecessary. The airway is patent for the moment), cut off all non-burned on clothing, and cover the patient's body with sterile burn dressings and blankets to preserve body heat.
However, the BLS crew on scene, and forewarning, I don't know if this was at the direction of ALS or independent action, said they began soaking trauma dressings in sterile water and began covering the burns.
Please, and I'd love to know if I'm wrong, I was taught that in cases of severe, high percentage burns, NOT to soak the burn areas and instead focus on preserving body heat, as with burns that severe, the body will have issues in some fashion. Soaking dressings and covering the burns I was taught for minor, sub 10% body area burns. I would think soaking dressings on someone with over half their body burnt would maybe, MAYBE, help comfort the patient, but ultimately would be bad due to the body heat loss.
Opinions? Please, I'm very curious on this. I love to learn and have yet to see a scenario like this. Thank you.