108 DAYS Forum

[Lisa Lindell]

The one thing that really stands out about our experience...specifically relating to the burn injuries is this: two steps forward and three steps back. Be prepared to have a lot of patience. The healing is slow to come and then seems to disappear, but you can and will recover.
Burn patients are highly susceptible to infections. (As is any hospital patient). Infections are the number one killer of burn victims. Maintain a sterile environment around them at all times. Do not pick up dropped items off the floor. Do not touch them with your bare hands or allow anyone else to. Keep things like stethoscopes and blood pressure cuffs in the room and used exclusively on this patient. Do not allow any staff to use public items like this on a burn patient. Cover your hair, mouth, clothing, hands and shoes with protective garments before entering their room. Insist the staff do this as well. Put a mask on the patient if they are leaving the room. Protect them.
Dehydration is another threat to burn patients. Watch for signs of dehydration, chart their fluid intake and output in your journal. If anything seems amiss to you, pursue it with the treating physician vehemently...this goes for any patient , not just burn victims.