State of the Science Burn Research: Burns in the Elderly

The document reviewed the state of burn care for elderly patients, highlighting that despite advancements, outcomes had not significantly improved, with the LD50 for burns remaining at 30-35% TBSA over three decades. Elderly individuals faced increased burn risks due to factors like thinning skin and cognitive impairments, yet specific care guidelines were lacking. The American Burn Association formed a committee to address these issues, focusing on prevention, acute care, and rehabilitation. The document emphasized the role of primary care physicians in prevention, suggesting simple interventions like kitchen timers and adaptive safety equipment. It also discussed the challenges of measuring frailty, with no consensus on the best tool, and the need for tailored pain management protocols. Infection control, nutritional challenges, and the lack of research on PTSD in elderly burn patients were also noted. Overall, the document called for more research to improve understanding and management of burns in the elderly, focusing on frailty assessment, physiological responses, and infection control.