Rule Of Nines Chart

Streamline burn injury assessments with our Rule of Nines Chart template for accurate and efficient documentation.

By Liliana Braun on Apr 08, 2024.

Fact Checked by Ericka Pingol.

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What is a Rule Of Nines Chart Template?

The rule of nines chart template is a tool used by medical professionals, particularly emergency responders, to estimate the body surface area burned in an adult patient. It divides the body into nine segments, representing approximately 9% of the body surface area. This simplified method allows for a rapid assessment of burn severity and helps guide fluid resuscitation and treatment decisions.

Here's a breakdown of the Rule of Nines Chart Template:

Anterior:

  • Head and neck: 9%
  • Upper arm (each): 9%
  • Forearm (each): 9%
  • Hand (each): 4.5%
  • Chest: 9%
  • Abdomen: 9%
  • Thigh (each): 9%
  • Lower leg (each): 9%
  • Foot (each): 4.5%

Posterior:

  • Back: 18%
  • Buttocks: 9%
  • Upper arm (each): 9%
  • Forearm (each): 9%
  • Hand (each): 4.5%

Printable Rule Of Nines Chart

Download this Rule Of Nines Chart to estimate the body surface area burned in an adult patient.

How does it work?

The printable rule of nines chart template is a tool medical professionals use to quickly estimate the body surface area burned in an adult patient. When the body is divided into 11 segments, each representing a specific percentage of the total body surface area, it can fill out the template. 

Having the printable rule of nines chart template on hand when assessing someone with burns allows a simplified approach to rapidly assess burn extent without requiring complex calculations or extensive measurements.

Steps involved with filling out the rule of nines chart template:

  1. Identify the burned areas of the body. Carefully examine the patient's body to identify all areas that have sustained burn injuries.
  2. Determine the percentage of each burned segment. For each burned segment, refer to the Rule of Nines chart to determine the corresponding percentage of the total body surface area.
  3. Record the burned segments and their percentages. In the rule of nines chart template, note the burned segments and their respective percentages.
  4. Calculate the total body surface area burned. Add the percentages of all burned segments to determine the total body surface area burned.

Rule of Nines Chart example (sample)

At Carepatron, we are determined to make your life as a healthcare practitioner easier. That is why we have created a rule of nines chart template PDF. This provides an easily accessible and intuitive template that the practitioner can download and fill out, allowing them to quickly assess the extent of the burns and make calculated decisions on the best treatment steps. 

It contains all the information required to understand and fill out a rule of nines chart template, meaning all that is left for the doctor to do is fill out each section related to their patient, saving the hassle of complex calculations in a high-stress environment. Below is a sample of the rule of nines chart template pdf.

Download this free Rule of Nine Charts example:

Rule of Nines Chart example (sample)

When would you use this template?

The rule of nines chart template is most commonly used in emergency medicine to assess burn severity and guide treatment decisions.

Here are some specific situations where the Rule of 9s chart template would be useful:

  • Initial assessment of burn patients: When a burn patient arrives at the hospital, the Rule of Nines Chart template can be used to quickly estimate the extent of their burns. This information can then be used to decide their initial treatment, such as whether they need to be admitted to the hospital or transferred to a specialized burn center.
  • Guiding fluid resuscitation: Burn patients often require fluid resuscitation to maintain blood volume and prevent shock. The Rule of 9s chart template can estimate the amount of fluid a patient needs based on the extent of their burns.
  • Determining burn severity: The Rule of 9s chart template can help determine the severity of a burn injury. This information can then be used to make decisions about the patient's long-term treatment and prognosis.
  • Communication tool: The Rule of 9s chart template is a common language that healthcare providers can use to communicate the extent of a burn injury. This helps ensure that all patient care team members are on the same page and that the patient is receiving the best possible care.

What do the results mean?

When using a free rule of nines chart template, the information gained is crucial for assessing burn severity, guiding treatment decisions, and communicating the extent of burn injury among healthcare providers.

Here's a breakdown of how to interpret the results from the Rule of 9s chart template:

1. Estimating burn severity: The total body surface area burned calculated using the rule of nines chart template serves as a primary indicator of burn severity. Generally, burn patients are categorized as follows:

  • Minor burns: Less than 10% body surface area burned
  • Moderate burns: 10% to 20% body surface area burned
  • Major burns: 20% to 40% body surface area burned
  • Critical burns: Over 40% body surface area burned

2. Guiding fluid resuscitation: Burn patients often require significant fluid resuscitation to maintain blood volume and prevent shock. The rule of nines chart template helps estimate fluid requirements based on the extent of burn injury. The Parkland formula is commonly used to calculate fluid resuscitation needs, considering the body surface area burned and the patient's weight.

3. Determining long-term treatment and prognosis: The Rule of Nines Chart template provides valuable information for determining the patient's long-term treatment plan and prognosis. More severe burns may require specialized care, prolonged hospitalization, and rehabilitation therapies.

4. Communicating burn injury extent: The Rule of Nines Chart template serves as a common language among healthcare providers to communicate the extent of a burn injury. This facilitates a clear understanding of the patient's condition and ensures coordinated care.

Why use Carepatron as your  Rule Of Nines Chart app?

In the field of healthcare, clinical templates, and clinical documentation, where precision and efficiency are essential, Carepatron emerges as the ultimate solution for creating and implementing an easy-to-use rule of nines chart templates. With its user-friendly interface and intuitive design, Carepatron provides an easy-to-download Rule of Nines Chart, streamlining the process for healthcare professionals. The Rule of Nines Chart app offered by Carepatron is a game-changer, ensuring accessibility and simplicity for assessing burn severity and planning treatments. 

The software's user interface is designed to be intuitive, enabling healthcare providers to navigate seamlessly through the chart creation process. This user-friendly approach significantly reduces the time and effort required for developing comprehensive calculations when dealing with a burn victim. Carepatron's rule of nines chart software stands out for its efficiency and effectiveness. It empowers healthcare professionals to address the burn victim, from the immediate assessment to ongoing treatment.

Carepatron goes beyond mere template provision; it offers a dynamic platform for collaboration among healthcare teams, fostering a holistic approach to patient care. The software's versatility accommodates the diverse needs of individual, family, and community factors involved in the recovery from burns.

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References

Burn Percentage in Adults: Rule of Nines Chart. (2018). EMedicineHealth. https://www.emedicinehealth.com/burn_percentage_in_adults_rule_of_nines/article_em.htmMiller, S. F., Finley, R. K., Waltman, M., & Lincks, J. (1991). Burn Size Estimate Reliability. Journal of Burn Care & Rehabilitation, 12(6), 546–559. https://doi.org/10.1097/00004630-199111000-00010Moore, R. A., Waheed, A., & Burns, B. (2022). Rule of Nines. PubMed; StatPearls Publishing. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30020659/#:~:text=The%20Rule%20of%20Nines%20estimation

How do you create a Rule Of Nines Chart template?
How do you create a Rule Of Nines Chart template?

Commonly asked questions

How do you create a Rule Of Nines Chart template?

Carepatron provides a ready-to-use rule of nines chart, which can be printed or used online.

When are Rule Of Nines Chart Templates used?

Rule of Nines Chart Templates are used in emergency medicine to estimate burn severity and guide treatment decisions quickly.

How are the Rule Of Nines Chart Templates used?

Rule of Nines Chart Templates are used by dividing the body into segments and assigning each segment a percentage of the total body surface area (BSA) burned.

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