Burns: Patient Education and Outreach from University of Colorado Hospital
Burns Have Better Outcomes When Treated at Specialized Burn Centers
If you are concerned about receiving the best burn care treatment, please consider contacting a burn center verified by the American Burn Association, such as the Burn Trauma ICU at University of Colorado Hospital.
You should be seen by an ABA-verified burn center for the following:
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Partial-thickness burns that cover more than 10 percent of the total body surface area
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Burns that involve the face, hands, feet, genitalia, perineum, or major joints
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Third-degree burns
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Electrical burns, including lightning
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Chemical burns
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Inhalation injury
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If you have any preexisting medical disorders that could complicate care (i.e. pregnancy, diabetes, CAD)
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If you have children with burn injuries in hospitals without qualified personnel or equipment
Potentially Life-Threatening Skin Diseases That Should Be Treated at Burn Centers
Stevens-Johnson Syndrome
Stevens-Johnson Syndrome is a very serious condition that usually occurs when the skin and mucosal membranes have a severe reaction to a medication that a person takes.
SJS can begin with flu-like symptoms, which are followed by a rash and blisters that can eventually cover the entire body. The top layer of skin begins to die and slough off. SJS requires hospitalization and can have weeks or months of recovery. The best outcomes are when patients are treated at burn centers.
Necrotizing Fasciitis
Necrotizing fasciitis is also known as "flesh-eating bacteria." This serious infection usually begins at a surgical site or a site of trauma. The condition progress rapidly from swelling, to blisters, to tissue death.
Necrotizing fasciitis requires hospitalization and has a long recovery process. Burn centers offer the best outcomes by treating the infection, removing all of the dead tissue, and then grafting the skin as necessary.
Living with Burns
People who have suffered burn injuries often need ongoing medical and psychological support. Support from friends and family members is also very important, and finding a burn support group can be very helpful. We can help you find many of these sources of support.
Support Groups
SOAR (Survivors Offering Assistance in Recovery)
Provides patients and families, while still in the hospital, a connection with a trained peer supporter who has experienced a burn injury. This program benefits patients and their families, the hospital burn team and the person providing peer support.
Monthly Burn Survivor Support Group
Meets the fourth Wednesday of each month at University of Colorado Hospital.
For more information, contact Wendy Clyne, (720) 848-2011.
Burn Outreach
The Burn Team at University of Colorado Hospital participates in many different outreach events each month. Whether it be burn care information for triage and transport of burn patients to EMS and other healthcare providers, or burn prevention education given out in the community, we do our best to be a great resource for you.
Please see below for two of our specific programs, but also feel free to contact us with any questions or outreach requests that you may have.
Contact Katie Fuenning, outreach coodinator, at (720) 848-6054.
Aurora P.A.R.T.Y. (Prevent Alcohol and Risk Related Trauma in Youth)
University of Colorado Hospital is a sponsor of Aurora P.A.R.T.Y., and is seeking volunteers and other support for the program.
P.A.R.T.Y. is a dynamic, interactive injury prevention and health promotion program for teenage students, held at UCH. Students examine a "crash car" that was involved in a fatal crash, follow a trauma victim through a course of treatment and rehabilitation, and interact with many health care professionals and Colorado State Patrol representatives, who depict the reality of trauma including death, permanent disability, and the effects that a student's poor choices will have on family, friends and everyone else around them.
This program is volunteer-driven and is provided to student groups up to three times monthly depending on resources.
See www.partyprogram.com
Kids on the Block Puppet Show
The Burn Team offers a puppet show for children from Kids on the Block, Inc. Life-sized puppets star in three different fire safety-related scenarios as well as a Stop, Drop, and Roll song.
The program is designed to be very interactive and features three of the most popular Kids on the Block characters who teach children how to prevent fire, how to avoid potentially hazardous situations, and how to react appropriately should danger occur.
See http://www.kotb.com
Burn and Fire Safety and Care Tips
Additional Burn Resources
American Burn Association
Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors