Abbreviated Burn Severity Index (ABSI) — free guideline decision tool
Estimate burn severity and survival with the Abbreviated Burn Severity Index.
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Implements the decision logic from published clinical guidelines.
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Nothing is uploaded. Results are for licensed clinicians only.
Worked calculation
The values below come from this tool's own example placeholders and are computed server-side with the formula shown on this page, so the arithmetic can be checked quickly. It demonstrates how to substitute values only — it is not clinical advice and not a real case.
| Sex | Male (0) |
|---|---|
| Age | 0–20 y (1) |
| Inhalation injury | No (0) |
| Full-thickness (3rd degree) burn | No (0) |
| Burn area %TBSA | 1–10% (1) |
→ABSI2
- Severity：2 → Very mild (estimated survival ≈ 99%)
- Referral：ABSI ≥ 6, high-voltage electrical burns, major associated injuries, or full-thickness burns of face/axilla/joints/hands/feet/perineum → consider a burn center
- Note：%TBSA may be estimated with the rule of nines (second-degree and deeper only). Survival figures are historical estimates; modern critical and burn care improve outcomes
| Sex | Female (1) |
|---|---|
| Age | 81–100 (5) |
| Inhalation injury | Yes (1) |
| Full-thickness (3rd degree) burn | Yes (1) |
| Burn area %TBSA | 91–100 (10) |
→ABSI18
- Severity：18 → Maximal (estimated survival ≤ 10%)
- Referral：ABSI ≥ 6, high-voltage electrical burns, major associated injuries, or full-thickness burns of face/axilla/joints/hands/feet/perineum → consider a burn center
- Note：%TBSA may be estimated with the rule of nines (second-degree and deeper only). Survival figures are historical estimates; modern critical and burn care improve outcomes
Common questions
What is Abbreviated Burn Severity Index (ABSI)?
Estimate burn severity and survival with the Abbreviated Burn Severity Index.
How is Abbreviated Burn Severity Index (ABSI) calculated? What is the core formula?
ABSI = sex (female 1) + age band (1–5) + inhalation injury (1) + full-thickness burn (1) + %TBSA band (1–10). Higher = lower survival.
When is Abbreviated Burn Severity Index (ABSI) used?
Prognosticate and guide burn-center referral after major burns.
What are the key clinical points for Abbreviated Burn Severity Index (ABSI)?
ABSI ≥ 6 warrants burn-center referral. Survival figures are historical estimates. %TBSA can be estimated with the rule of nines.
What are the limits and cautions when using Abbreviated Burn Severity Index (ABSI)?
For licensed clinicians and clinical researchers. Interpret results with history, investigations and local protocols; not a diagnosis or prescription, and not a substitute for multidisciplinary decision-making or local guidelines.
How is Abbreviated Burn Severity Index (ABSI) calculated in practice? Can you show a worked example?
Inputs: Sex Male (0), Age 0–20 y (1), Inhalation injury No (0), Full-thickness (3rd degree) burn No (0), Burn area %TBSA 1–10% (1) → Result: ABSI 2（Severity: 2 → Very mild (estimated survival ≈ 99%), Referral: ABSI ≥ 6, high-voltage electrical burns, major associated injuries, or full-thickness burns of face/axilla/joints/hands/feet/perineum → consider a burn center, Note: %TBSA may be estimated with the rule of nines (second-degree and deeper only). Survival figures are historical estimates; modern critical and burn care improve outcomes） Inputs: Sex Female (1), Age 81–100 (5), Inhalation injury Yes (1), Full-thickness (3rd degree) burn Yes (1), Burn area %TBSA 91–100 (10) → Result: ABSI 18（Severity: 18 → Maximal (estimated survival ≤ 10%), Referral: ABSI ≥ 6, high-voltage electrical burns, major associated injuries, or full-thickness burns of face/axilla/joints/hands/feet/perineum → consider a burn center, Note: %TBSA may be estimated with the rule of nines (second-degree and deeper only). Survival figures are historical estimates; modern critical and burn care improve outcomes）
Run Abbreviated Burn Severity Index (ABSI) now
Estimate burn severity and survival with the Abbreviated Burn Severity Index.
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