Classification of Burn-Care Facilities in the United States

The concept of specialized care facilities for the burned patient is relatively new. The first "burn units" were established in 1947 at the Medical College of Virginia, and at the Army Surgical Research Unit in San Antonio, Tex. These units were organized to provide, within their walls, almost all of the resources required for these severely injured patients. Additional units were established in the next two decades. In 1969, a survey of the short-term general and children's hospitals in the United States was completed, to determine the availability of facilities for the care of the burned patients. Only 32 such facilities could be identified. In addition to the hospitals that provide special facilities for burned patients, 46 others are identified with improved care. These facilities and special programs are not alike, and a classification of them is provided to differentiate the levels of care provided. Of the 6,062 hospitals initially