Each year, the pediatric burn team at MUSC Children's Hospital cares for nearly 150 children who have suffered major or minor burns. As South Carolina's referral center for pediatric burns, the hospital is committed to meeting both the physical and emotional needs of these patients. Child-specific treatment and an emphasis on the patient's quality of life during and after the hospital stay ensure that pediatric burn patients receive thorough care.

A multidisciplinary approach

The unique physical and emotional needs of the burned child require assistance from a number of disciplines. Involved in each child's care are a burn nurse specialist, a child life therapist, dietician, social worker, pharmacist, psychiatrist, occupational and physical therapists, and four attending physicians. At MUSC Children's Hospital, the many subspecialists involved in a child's recovery make rounds together daily and meet weekly to discuss cases. Leading the pediatric burn team is H. Biemann Othersen Jr., M.D., a surgeon who has specialized in pediatric burns for more than 20 years.

Comprehensive Recovery

Staff members work closely with patients to facilitate the healing process, both physical and mental. Physical and occupational therapists make daily contact with patients, focusing on wound care and helping patients overcome limitations left by wounds. Using play therapy, a child life therapist helps children cope with the trauma of the incident and the impact burns will have on their lives. A child psychiatrist is available to treat more severe emotional problems.

The Aluminum Cans for Burned Children program

The costs that accompany medical care can be overwhelming for many families. The Aluminum Cans for Burned Children program helps offset these costs, providing MUSC Children's Hospital with funds for outpatient medicines, dressings and garments for burn treatment, therapeutic toys, transportation, shelter, gas money and meals for the patient and family members during the hospital stay. The program also sponsors two staff members who work closely with families to provide support and assist in meeting the families' needs.

Cost-effective care

A recent emphasis of the pediatric burn team has been on reducing the cost for families of burn patients through shorter hospital stays. Through intensive outpatient services, including daily meetings with a physical therapist for wound care, patients are able to leave the hospital sooner while receiving the same level of care. On average, children stay in the hospital one day for each percentage of burn.

Services especially for children

Pediatric burn patients at MUSC Children's Hospital receive age-specific care. Staff members specialize in pediatric burns and therefore are particularly aware of the medical and emotional needs of younger patients. Rather than limiting patients to a specific “burn unit,” burned children are placed throughout the hospital according to age, burn severity or rehabilitation level. Rooms are set up with the needs of children in mind, using bright colors and toys to make the hospital more pleasant and homelike. A large playroom called the Atrium is available to all patients, offering a wide variety of toys and games, with child life workers on hand to help children engage in therapeutic play.

Staff members often visit a patient's classroom before the child returns to school to ensure that classmates are understanding and sensitive to changes that the burned child is going through. The burn team also runs a free burn camp for patients and former patients. For consultation or referrals, call MUSC Health Connection at 792-1414.

Editor's note: The article is reprinted from MDialogue newsletter, a physician liaison program publication.