The table shows the expected outcome for various TBSA burns for different ages. These outcomes include patients with or without inhalational injury. Inhalation injury increases the mortality risk.
The resource utilization categories are as follows:
- Outpatient (bright yellow) – Survival and good outcome expected without inpatient treatment.
- Very high (yellow)– Survival and good outcome expected without prolonged hospitalization (>14 days).
- High (pink) – Survival and good outcome expected (survival >90%).
- Medium (green) – Survival and good outcome likely with aggressive care and comprehensive resource allocation (survival >50%).
- Low (blue) – Survival and good outcome <50% probability even with prolonged aggressive and resource intensive treatment.
- Expectant (purple) – Survival <10% even with unlimited aggressive treatment.
From: Taylor S, Jeng J, Saffle JR, et al. Redefining the outcomes to resources ratio for burn patient triage in a mass casualty. J Burn Care Res 2014; 35:41. DOI:
10.1097/BCR.0000000000000034. Reproduced with permission from Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Copyright © 2014 American Burn Association. Unauthorized reproduction of this material is prohibited.