TRIAGE PRINCIPLES 

The following factors should be considered when assessing whether to provide definitive care to a host-nation patient in the deployed setting:

The following facts should be borne in mind as well:

It is sometimes difficult to determine the full extent of the full thickness burn at the time of initial presentation. For patients with combined partial- and full-thickness burns initiate resuscitation and allow the partial thickness component to declare itself. After approximately 48-72 hours, reassess the patient to more accurately estimate the percentage of full-thickness burn.

Burn injuries may initially appear survivable, but skin-graft loss, infections, or other complications may transform a potentially survivable injury into a fatal one. Be aware of this possibility and the potential change to an expectant category.