US EPA

7436208 

Journal Article 

Geriatric Burns 

Cunningham, HB; Romanowski, KS; Phelan, HA; , 

2020 

Springer International Publishing 

Cham 

Handbook of Burns Volume 1 

401-414 

10.1007/978-3-030-18940-2_30 

http://link.springer.com/10.1007/978-3-030-18940-2_30
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Burn care in the elderly is a topic which has received little attention in the literature until recently. Geriatric patients have unique epidemiology, limitations, and physiology which affect their health in many ways and impact their burn experience. The risk factors for burn injury in this group differ from the general population, and prevention is discussed in this context. Many issues arise during admission for these patients and can complicate the hospital course. Often related to preexisting medical comorbidities and/or functional status, nutritional support and resuscitation can be challenging. Wounds can be more severe and healing more difficult often leading to increased rehabilitation and skilled nursing needs after discharge. Predictors of outcomes are largely limited to the short-term however can lend themselves to productive goals of care discussions between providers, patients, and patient families. The topic of burn care in the elderly is complex, and there are significant gaps in the available data making it difficult to firmly establish treatment guidelines or determine long-term outcomes. Additional high-quality research is imperative to define and improve the geriatric burn patient experience.