The comprehensive burn unit.

A burn unit is only as good as its staff. Trained, experienced nurses, therapists and surgeons accustomed to dealing with large open wounds are a major requisite for the care of burned patients, who have a multisystem disease. Equipment needs include monitors, hydrotherapy tank, ready access to the operating room and comprehensive rehabilitation facilities. Skilled anesthesia, consultative support in nephrology, respirology, pediatrics and infectious diseases, a blood bank, access to human allograft and good microbiology support are necessary. Ventilatory support for associated smoke inhalation injury may be provided on the unit or in a separate ventilatory intensive care unit with isolation capability. In 1982, 29.9 Canadians per 100 000 were hospitalized for burn care (approximately 20% to 25% in burn units). Burn care requires a high staff-to-patient ratio and a hospital budget to support this is mandatory.