Antibiotics

- IV or oral antibiotics are not normally used for prophylaxis in burn patients in the absence of other open wounds requiring them (e.g., open fractures.)
- After several days, if patient develops cellulitis (spreading erythema around edges of burn), treat for gram-positive organisms, (e.g., cefazolin or clindamycin).
- If patient develops invasive burn wound infection (signs: sepsis/septic shock, changes in color of wound, possible foul smell of wound), treat with broad-spectrum antibiotics to include gram-positive and gram-negative coverage that ideally includes coverage for Pseudomonas aeruginosa (e.g., ertapenem + ciprofloxacin).

Fluid and equipment planning considerations. See Appendix E.

Summary Table. See Appendix F.