Burns: Patient Education from University of Colorado Hospital

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 those sources of support.

Getting a Second Opinion about Burns

If you are concerned about receiving the best burn care treatment, you might want to contact a burn center verified by the American Burn Association, such as the Burn Trauma ICU at University of Colorado Hospital.

Also, you should be seen by an ABA-verified burn center for the following:

  • Partial-thickness burns that cover more than 10 percent of the total body surface area
  • Burns that involve the face, hands, feet, genitalia, perineum, or major joints
  • Third-degree burns
  • Electrical burns, including lightning
  • Chemical burns
  • Inhalation injury
  • If you have preexisting medical disorders that complicate care, prolong recovery, or affect mortality
  • If there are burns and noncomitant trauma in which the burn injury itself poses the greatest risk of mortality or morbidity
  • If you have children with burn injuries in hospitals without qualified personnel or equipment
  • If you know a burn patient who needs special social, emotional or rehabilitation


Burns: 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 is a benefit for 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.
          Contact Wendy Clyne, (720) 848-2011.


Burns: Outreach

           Outreach Coordinator Katie Fuenning, (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 for the program. It is a dynamic, interactive injury prevention and health promotion program geared for teenagers.
            For more information: Katie Fuenning, (720) 848-6054.

Kids on the Block

Burn team members put on monthly puppet shows on fire prevention and safety at various community events and elementary schools in Colorado. For more information, call (720) 848-7583.

Additional Burn Resources

American Burn Association

Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors