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3 Critical Goals in Managing a Burn Injury

Burn injuries are one of the most expensive injuries because of the specialty care involved and length of healing time.  It is also one of the most emotional injuries for the patient and their family.  We see all types of burns in our case management practice, but electrical burns can be the most devastating.  If - yes, "if" the injured worker survives, there are months of recovery hurdles ahead.  Rebecca Olson, RN is working an electrical burn injury that happened recently.  


The first and most critical goal in management of a burn injury is Assessment of the extent of injury. What makes assessment so critical is the fact burned or injured tissue will continue to necrose after the initial injury, revealing the depth of skin loss and whether or not skin grafting will be needed, the viability of blood vessels and the need for surgical amputation in some cases.  In an electrical injury, the path that the charge takes through the body - crossing vital organs - presents internal challenges that must be closely monitored.  The BEST place for treatment is at a Burn Center - worth the transport charges to the nearest one.  And the BEST assessment for managing  the injury is done onsite for chart review and physician consultations.

Any injury can cause fear and emotional crisis for the patient and their family, but burns significantly do so.  That's why the second critical management goal is Communication and Support of the injured worker and their family.  This goes a loooong way toward building trust and rapport that will be needed on the healing journey, and avoids litigation of the claim.  Explanations of medical needs and procedures, questions answered frankly but with compassion, allaying fears of the unknown by stating expectations - someone who will always answer the phone when a question pops into their thoughts - these supportive actions promote emotional well-being of the injured worker and family through this crisis. 

The last critical management goal is Coordination of the treatment plan; taking care of all the details in such a way that care is not delayed, and using a team approach to include the injured worker.  There will likely be many, many procedures - dressing changes to debridements, post burn care to maintain integrity of the graft and reduce scarring, therapies to maintain functional motion of joints, etc.  And if you've done your job well, you not only have a great rapport with the injured worker, family and physicians, but you've also prepared them mentally and emotionally for eventual RTW in the treatment plan.

Keep an attitude of the glass is half full - think positive and be encouraging.  Family and friends will do enough on their own with offering sympathy.  And they could also use your prayers.    


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