The Burn Team

The Burn Center provides a specially designed area where burn patients can be given intensive care by highly trained personnel. The burn team is an interdisciplinary team that works together to provide this care. Members of the burn team include: doctors, nurses, physical and occupational therapists, nutritionists, pharmacists, respiratory therapists, care coordinators, social workers, pain resource nurses, psychologists, psychiatrists, chaplains and the burn patient and their family. The burn patient and their family members are a vital part of the burn team because their efforts and concerns are needed for a positive recovery. In addition to the burn team, many consulting services are available in the Hospital if needed.

The burn team meets weekly at “Burn Rounds”. This meeting is to re-evaluate every patient’s progress, treatment, and discharge plans. In addition, various members of the team may meet throughout the week to plan further aspects of care.

Every Burn Center patent will be seen by a staff doctor, residents, and medical students. Their staff doctor or Attending Physician will oversee and coordinate all of their care. Residents are doctors who are working to become specialized in an area of practice. Medical students are in school studying to become doctors. This medical team works together to give the patient the best possible care. The patient will be seen by one or all of the doctors on a daily basis.

The Burn Center nursing staff works closely with all members of the burn team to provide and manage quality health care to enable the patient to achieve the optimal level of well-being. The nursing staff consists of registered nurses, nursing assistants, wound care technicians and nursing students. The nurse may take care of one or several patients, depending on each patient’s need. The Nursing Leadership team consists of the Nurse Manager (NM), Unit Coordinator, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Care Coordinator and Educator. The Nurse Manager is responsible for the overall nursing direction of the unit. The Unit Coordinators or Charge Nurses assist the NM by overseeing daily delivery of patient care. The Clinical Nurse Specialist develops and directs the clinical and professional development of the nursing staff. The Care Coordinator coordinates the interventions/recommendations of the interdisciplinary team to facilitate progress through the hospitalization and coordinates the transition of the patient from the inpatient hospital setting to the outpatient care environment with outpatient care referrals, rehabilitation or long-term care. Also,working closely with health insurance companies/payor sources to maximize benefits available to the patient. The Educator collaborates with the Clinical Nurse Specialist to implement orientation and education plans of the license and non-licensed staff.