Checklist

WIPER

Physiological parameters

General

• Resuscitate patient.

• ITU support: airway, hydration, analgesia and antibiotics.

• Comment on dressings already applied.

Look

• Site of the burn

• Airway compromise risk factors: singed nasal hairs, perioral burns, blistered palate, swelling of tongue or naso-oral mucosa, hoarse voice due to laryngooedema, swollen uvula

• Percentage of total body surface area (TBSA) burnt

• Circumferential burns to chest or limbs

• Depth of burn:

• superficial (epidermal)

• superficial partial-thickness (superficial dermal)

• deep partial-thickness (deep dermal)

• full-thickness

• Assess any structure(s) involved at the base of the burn.

Feel

• Sensation/tenderness

• Capillary refill time in burn, peripheral and centrally

• Moist or dry burn

• Assess peripheral pulses

• Assess chest movements if any circumferential burns

• Identify compartment syndrome in circumferential limb burns

Move

• Movement of underlying joints

Checklist

WIPER

Physiological parameters

General

• Tracheostomy scar

• Fitted pressure garments/splints

Look

• Site affected by the burn

• Extent of burn

• Burn and donor sites: graft/flap healing status, colour, contour, contracture, cosmetic result

Feel

• Burn and donor sites for healing result: thickness scars, texture, sensation, tenderness, pliability

Move

• Assess contraction of scars around joints, testing ROM.

• Assess functional impairment of local structures.

To complete the examination…

• Assess neurovascular status of loco-regional tissue involved.