Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a non invasive mode of medical treatment in which the patient is entirely enclosed in a pressure chamber filled with oxygen at a pressure greater than one atmosphere. It is a painless procedure that can be carried out in either in a monoplace chamber where only…
Airway Suction: Smoke inhalation injuries may lead to edema (swelling) of the lining of the airway, this may lead to the accumulation of secretions in the airways, these secretions need to be cleared as they may increase the risk of infection and increase the risk that these secretions may be…
Speech and language therapists and pathologists: they help the patient with swallowing issues, they can help with vocal cord issues, and communication needs (if the patient can’t speak) and they can help teach the patient with a tracheotomy how to speak. Respiratory therapist: they manage and administer oxygen, breathing treatments…
Taking care of a burned patient in a hospital requires a team effort. This team is called the burn team which is a group of people with different specialties who work together to help the patient and his/her family. The members of the burn team with some variation from one…
The skin plays an important role in body temperature regulation, see regulation of body temperature. In deep second degree and in third degree burns, the sweat glands will be destroyed and will not be replaced by new ones as the skin heals. These patients will often have difficulty in humid…
Scars are areas of fibrous tissue that replace normal skin or other tissues after an injury. Scar formation is a natural part of the healing process. Scars can happen as a result of an infection, surgery, injuries such as burns or inflammation of tissue. They may cause functional and psychological…
Skin plays an important role in protecting the body against infection; see skin and infection. When there is a burn the risk of infection increases depending on the degree of the burn, location of the burn and the general condition of the patient. Risk factors for developing an infection in…
Following a burn injury, some patients will be admitted to the hospital for a period of time and then discharged home. When the patient returns home, he/she will require an adjustment period not only for him/her but also for the whole family. Consideration after discharge: Itching. Pain. Home wound care.…
Medications are often used when the patient is intubated in the form of sedative and analgesic drugs to reduce the anxiety and stress associated with the intubation as well as helping the patient with tolerating the constant irritation of the endotracheal tube. The patient is also given prophylaxis against Deep…
Burns can affect different parts of the body in different ways. Some patients will not be able to breathe on their own and may need the help of a breathing machine (mechanical ventilator). Mechanical ventilator: can be defined as a device that is designed to help the patient to breathe…