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Treatment Intro
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Treatment > Conditions & Treatment First Degree Burn or Partial Thickness Injury: This is similar to a sunburn and will usually heal within five to seven days. Second Degree Burn or Partial Thickness Injury: This is a deeper burn involving both layers of the skin (epidermis and dermis). The burn is red, painful and often blistered. Healing usually occurs in 14 to 21 days, but sometimes this type of bum may require a skin graft. Third Degree Burn or Full Thickness Injury: This burn completely destroys all layers of the skin and usually requires a skin graft. For some patients it is difficult to determine the depth of the burn and the expected healing time upon admission. Our physicians and nurses will keep you informed of wound progression. Smoke Inhalation: When smoke or fumes are inhaled, the throat becomes extremely irritated. The patient may be hoarse, coughing grey or black sputum and may require oxygen. If breathing becomes difficult for the patient, he or she will be transferred to the Intensive Care Unit. If this is the case, the patient is temporarily placed on a ventilator to assist with their breathing. Once breathing support is no longer needed, the patient is transferred to the Bum Unit. Swelling: Burned areas are often swollen for three to four days. This is especially noticeable with burns to the face and hands. This condition is expected and is temporary. Elevation of the head and affected limbs is recommended. Temperature It is normal for a burn patient's temperature to be elevated and as such, it is closely monitored by our staff. We ask that visitors not adjust thermostats in the patient's room, remove bed clothing, or give the patient extra blankets without consulting with a nurse. During the course of the patient's treatment, bed clothing may be limited. If this is necessary, we pay careful attention to modesty and dignity for the patient. Pain: Each patient experiences pain differently. There are numerous pain-relieving techniques that we assist patients with, including oral analgesia, continuous intravenous infusion or Patient Controlled Analgesia. It is important that patients convey accurate pain intensity levels to help us evaluate pain and suggest appropriate pain-relief measures. Bathing and Exercise: Burn therapy involves a daily bath or shower for wound management, general hygiene, and exercising. This usually occurs in the mornings, although occasionally it may take place during the afternoon. Patients are assisted with daily exercise, focusing on weights or games to increase overall strength. Water is an excellent medium for exercise. The warmth and natural buoyancy of water enables the patient to move all joints freely. It is important to keep movement in all joints to prevent tightening of the burned areas and to keep independence for activities such as eating and getting out of bed. Patients with burns to their hands are encouraged to feed and dress themselves as often as possible. As a visitor, your initial reaction may be to do as much for the patient as you can to prevent pain, but the patient's long-term outcome depends upon early mobility and independence. Skin Grafting: Wounds that are slow to heal or are full thickness in depth require surgery. The dead tissue is removed and a thin layer of skin from a non-burned area (the donor site) is taken (harvested) and applied to the burned area. The physician and nurse can explain this procedure in depth and answer any questions or concerns that you may have. Itching: This is a normal sign of wound healing. Please notify the nurse if itching occurs and appropriate relief measures will be implemented. Splints: These may be applied during and after hospitalization to prevent joint and soft tissue contractures. Patients receive detailed information about splint use prior application and should never remove them without consulting with their nurse or Occupational Therapist. Plastics - Surgical Flap: This involves a strip of tissue being transferred from one area of the body to another, often retaining an attachment and direct blood supply from the donating tissues. The flap usually consists of skin and underlying fat, and may include fascia, muscle or bone. The flap may be raised to cover a defect caused by trauma or a disease process such as a carcinoma. The donor site from where the flap is taken is either directly closed or grafted with skin. Depending on the type of flap procedure, the patient may be required to stay in a private room for the initial week post surgery. This allows us to maintain a warm room (recommended for capillary dilation and improved circulation to the operative site). It also enables us to closely monitor the colour, warmth (temperature), sensation and capillary refill of the flap. The status of the patient is often monitored every hour for the first 48 to 72 hours post surgery. Patients are usually required to stay on bed rest or limited mobilization during this time period. |
