UBC DIVISION OF PLASTIC SURGERY

The Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), burn ward, burn clinic, and medical day unit at BC Children's Hospital provide comprehensive burn care to pediatric patients.

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Inpatient Referrals

All inpatient referrals need to be discussed with plastic surgery on call, and all transfers need to be facilitated through the Patient Transfer Network (PTN) of British Columbia.

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Outpatient Referrals

Acute burns able to be managed as outpatients should be discussed with plastic surgery on call so that they can be triaged. We have several options for facilitating burn care including anesthesia-assisted burn baths, scheduled dressing changes with experienced burn nurses, and our outpatient multidisciplinary clinic. After discussion, please fax a referral to the pediatric plastic surgery office.

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Management Guidelines and TBSA Estimation

Pediatric burn TBSA estimation varies based on age. Please download the BCCH TBSA estimation charts and management protocol on this page.

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Criteria for Referral to a Burn Centre

Burns that involve the following warrant a referral to a burn centre:

• Partial thickness burns greater than 10% total body surface area (TBSA).

• Burns that involve the face, hands, feet, genitalia, perineum, or major joints.

• Third degree burns in any age group.

• Electrical burns, including lightning injury.

• Chemical burns.

• Inhalation injury.

• Burn injury in patients with pre-existing medical disorders that could complicate management, prolong recovery, or affect mortality.

• Any patient with burns and concomitant trauma.

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