The Burns Calculator: a simple proposed guide for fluid resuscitation.

Most burn casualties will receive their primary care in an emergency department. These departments are staffed by doctors with a varying degree of supervision, and their experience of the treatment of burns is often very modest. Evidently there is a need for a simple method to calculate the fluid requirements of these patients. The Burns Calculator is designed for use during the first eight hours post-injury and is based upon the Parkland resuscitation formula, using only Hartmann's solution BP. It is expected that the patient will have received expert aid by the end of this time. Values for children have been predetermined using body surface area nomograms. The calculator will assist the non-specialist to determine the correct amount of fluid needed to resuscitate a burned patient, and perhaps decrease morbidity and mortality associated with this injury.