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Introduction
The practice of pediatric burns is a dynamic and ever evolving field. Many aspects of care are unique to this patient population and the delivery of care is a challenge even for the most experienced medical team.
It is in this framework that we have composed Pediatric Burns: a comprehensive guide for the diagnosis, treatment and follow up of the burned child from Time Zero through Long-term Rehabilitation. Mindful of the complexities of burn injuries themselves, with the many divergent causes, as well as, the social and psychological harm associated with severe burn wounds, we have endeavored to create this text for the medical professional involved in attaining the most positive outcome possible for the patient and his or her family.
The Study of Pediatric Burns: Textbook and Related Learning Material
This project describes the most advanced practices in use throughout the world in every type of burn wound category, providing clear descriptions of treatment methods from every discipline’s perspective. Contributors represent practitioners from a wide variety of backgrounds, locations and cultures, all with a common goal: to ensure the healthiest and most highly functioning young burn survivors possible.
The Reality and Severity of the Pediatric Burn
In the United States alone, burns are the third leading cause of death among children 0 to 14 years of age. In addition, each year greater than 125,000 children suffer serious burn injuries, with a disturbing percentage of those through abuse. Yet the number of specialized burn centers in the U.S. is not near enough to be in proximity or even accessible to the majority of these patients. The situation is even worse in most other regions of the world. Therefore, it is critical that we reach as many caregivers as possible with the information contained in these pages, as treatment of burn injuries has undergone dramatic changes over time in every area, from surgical procedures to respiratory and fluid resuscitation and even nourishment and metabolic support. The ability to recognize and react appropriately to pediatric injury can greatly affect the outcome and prognosis, up to and including the patient’s future quality of life.
The Need for Specialization
A seriously burned child requires an immediate, unique and complex order of care from a myriad of disciplines if survival and full functional recovery are to be achieved. When we remember that serious burn injuries are trauma cases first, a comprehensive understanding of these injuries is called for. First responders who can recognize, assess, and take rapid and correct actions in a serious burn case can greatly impact patient survivability until handoff to the ER and surgical team.
This project is an important resource for medical students interested in pursuing a specialty of pediatrics or burns, as well as current practitioners or those in the study of family practice, emergency medicine, surgery and critical care. Surgical and critical care nurses and allied health professionals in respiratory, physical and occupational therapy, psychology and social work will benefit from learning about the comprehensive nature of treatment of the burn-injured child. Clinic and hospital administrators will have a greater appreciation of the specialized equipment and expertise required to deliver optimal care to this most vulnerable patient population after reading this book.
From Tragedy….Hope
Pediatric Burns is a multi-authored volume that is solely dedicated to providing a comprehensive roadmap to caregivers involved in treating and rehabilitating a child with a serious burn injury. It is my hope that this work will have a profound effect on the lives of young burn survivors and their families.
–Bradley J. Phillips