Frequently Asked Questions

Q: “My child has been playing with matches. Can I bring them to the Burn Center to see what happens when you get burned?”
A: No. HIPPA (Health Information, Portability and Privacy Acts) prevent the Burn Center form allowing tours of the unit. Contact your local fire department to receive assistance with prevention information and juvenile fire setters programs available.

Q: “Can I send flowers to a patient in the Burn Center?”
A: No. Bacteria are harbored both in the flowers and the water, which is a potential source of infection. Fruit is another possible source.

Q: “What can I send to a patient who is in the Burn Center?”
A: Balloon bouquets, banners, cards, posters, picture collages and stuffed animals are always popular choices!

Q: “Can I donate my own skin for my loved ones skin grafting surgery?”
A: No. The patient must receive their own skin (autograft) during their surgery. Placing another persons skin (allograft or homograft) on the patient is a temporary solution because it will be rejected by the body.

Q: “I am having a “tummy tuck” and would like to donate the skin to the Burn Center. How do I do that?”
A: Procurement of skin in this area is unavailable; therefore, this is not an option.

Q: “I have a cold; can I still visit a patient?”
A: A burn patient is already compromised. If you have a temperature, you should never visit. If you have a cold, you may visit if you wear a mask and are even more vigilant about hand washing!”

Q: “My organization wants to collect items for the patients in the Burn Center. What do you suggest?”
A: We have patients of all ages in the Burn Center! Toys for our pediatric patients must be able to be disinfected between use, so avoid cloth-like items. We also have VCR’s in every room and DVD players available so movies are always in great demand! Other possibilities are books, books on tape, crossword puzzles, and music CD’s, especially relaxation music.

Q: “If we donate money to the Burn Center how is it spent?”
A: It depends on if you specify it to go towards a certain thing. Generally funds are spent on sending children to Burn Camps, sending survivors to Survivor support conferences (the Phoenix Society), items for patient use in the Burn Center (CD’s, movies, toys, etc.), burn prevention information/programs for the community or education for Burn Staff members.

Q: “I want to help raise money for the Burn Center. What can I do?”
A: The Burn Center and Firefighters Association hold an annual walk-a-thon.
This is a fun opportunity to get involved in fund raising!

Q: “I know a child who was burnt and would like to go to camp. Can they go?”
A: Any Burn Survivor under the age of 18 is eligible to go to camp. Contact Michelle Remmert, RN, our Burn Camp coordinator in order to receive information pertaining to the various camps available in our region.