Ambulatory management of thermal injuries.

The majority of thermal injuries that occur in this country can be adequately treated on an ambulatory-care basis. The determination regarding ambulatory care can be arrived at using the simple algorithm. The primary concern in outpatient burn care is the management of the burn wound. Aggressive wound cleansing, frequent dressing changes, and appropriate antimicrobials should permit rapid re-epithelialization and prevention of bacterial infection. A nonhealing burn wound should be grafted if it takes more than two to three weeks to heal. Aftercare with splints and elastic compression may be required to obtain maximal functional and cosmetic results.