Original researchBurn management capacity in low and middle-income countries: A systematic review of 458 hospitals across 14 countries

- Disproportionately burns are greater in low and middle-income countries (LMICs).
- Given lack of data on burns, our review assesses burn management capacity in LMICs.
- Fourteen studies were reviewed, data from 458 hospitals in fourteen countries.
- Our review suggests that LMICs do not appear to be equipped for burn management.
- Efforts are needed to document resources to inform policy & guide burn management.

Importance: More than 90% of thermal injury-related deaths occur in low-resource settings. While baseline assessment of burn management capabilities is necessary to guide capacity building strategies, limited data exist from low and middle-income countries (LMICs). Objective: The objective of our review is to assess burn management capacity in LMICs. Evidence review: A PubMed literature review was performed based on studies assessing baseline surgical capacity in individual LMICs. Seven criteria were used to assess burn management capabilities: presence of surgeon, presence of anesthesiologist, basic resuscitation capabilities, acute burn management, management of burn complications, endotracheal intubation and skin grafts. Findings: Fourteen studies were reviewed using data from 458 hospitals in fourteen countries. Of these, 82.3% (284/345) of hospitals had the capacity to provide basic resuscitation and 84.9% (275/324) were capable of providing acute burn management. Endotracheal intubation was only available at 38.3% (51/133) of hospitals. Moreover, only 35.6% (111/312) and 37.9% (120/317) of hospitals were able to provide skin grafts and treat burn complications, respectively. Conclusion: Many hospitals in LMICs are capable of initial burn management and basic resuscitation. However, deficiencies still exist in the capacity to systematically provide advanced burn care. Efforts should be made to better document resources in order to guide burn management resource allocation.