Burns Sourcebook

Basic Information about Heat, Chemical, Electrical, and Sun Burns, along with Facts about Burn Treatment and Recovery, and Reports on Current Research Initiatives

Burn injuries are the third leading cause of accidental death for all age groups in the United States, despite advancements in treatment and prevention. For children and young adults, burns are the leading cause of death in the home. Yet burn fatalities represent only a small fraction of the more than 1.25 million burn injuries reported in the United States each year. For many burn victims, recovery involves a long and painful period of reconstruction.

Burns Sourcebook offers the layperson information about various types of burns and scalds, including burn statistics and types and degrees of burns. It describes short-term and long-term treatment options, including tissue reconstruction and plastic surgery. The book also includes safety and prevention suggestions. Emergency procedures and first aid recommendations are provided to help readers respond quickly and effectively to burn accidents.

The book's 53 chapters are arranged in seven parts:

• Burn Statistics - presents statistical data on fires and burn injuries, use of burn treatment facilities, typical burn victims, and more
• Types and Degrees of Burns - describes the most common types of burn injuries and their classification by degrees
• Treatment Protocols for Severe Burns - examines the issues associated with treating severe burns, from assessment to reconstruction
• Rehabilitation and Coping - discusses the process of recovering from severe burn injuries
• Safety and Prevention - presents information on common fire hazards and how to minimize their danger
• Emergency Procedures and First Aid - offers strategies for dealing with fire and burn emergencies both at work and in the home
• Additional Help and Information - includes a glossary and a directory of resources for burn patients. All contact data in the "Additional Help and Information" section has been fully verified and includes Web site and e-mail addresses as available.
• Completing the book is a comprehensive index.

Material in this book has been collected from a wide range of government agencies, professional associations, and periodicals.

What reviewers are saying . . .

"Recommended reference source." - Booklist, American Library Association, December 1999

"This is an exceptional addition to the series and is highly recommended for all consumer health collections, hospital libraries, and academic medical centers." - E-Streams, March 2000

"This key reference guide is an invaluable addition to all health care and public libraries in confronting this ongoing health issue." - American Reference Books Annual, 2000