Burn and Wound Care

Dramatically improves the look and feel of burn, injury and surgical scars. Safe, effective and FDA cleared

If you have a scar, you know its appearance can be a significant source of distress. But scars also make daily life difficult due to:

• Limited range of motion
• Pain and itchiness
• Texture of the injured skin

You deserve access to the latest technology for scar revision

The St. Elizabeth Regional Burn and Wound Center is the only hospital in Nebraska offering minimally-invasive Advanced Laser Scar Therapy. The therapy achieves remarkable results for burn, injury or surgical scars, even years after the scar occurred.

• After 1 treatment many patients see significant progress in the texture of the scar
• After 3 to 5 treatments many patients experience functional and cosmetic improvement
• Up to 2 years after the final treatment noticeable improvement may continue

How it Works

Advanced Laser Scar Therapy uses a powerful and precise laser called the Lumenis UltraPulse® and the SCAAR FX™ system for scar revision. This deep resurfacing solution is customizable for different scar types and achieves results by:

• Targeting dermal layers to a depth of 4 mm – deeper than a cosmetic laser
• Creating microscopic chambers – these break down a scar’s rigid fibers and trigger a normal production of collagen and elastic fibers

Safe and Effective

Lumenis UltraPulse® technology was developed by pioneers in aesthetic and medical lasers, and is:

• Considered the standard of care for treating soldiers injured in battle
• Clinically validated by leading professionals
• FDA cleared for scar revision

You don’t have to live with your scar anymore. Call (402) 219-7717 to see if you are eligible for treatment. Our friendly team will set-up a consultation appointment and check with your insurance provider for coverage and preauthorization

During Treatment

• Treatment is administered by a specially-trained physician and staff
• Local anesthetic numbs skin, so you feel minimal pain. The laser can cause a warm, slightly stinging sensation. Most patients report little to no pain after this procedure.
• Treatment lasts a few minutes for small scars; longer for large scars
• Treatments may be done in surgery or the outpatient clinic

After Treatment

• In the treated area, skin will be warm, red and swollen to varying degrees
• Skin care routine will be prescribed, which may include applying dressings
• Daily activities can typically be resumed within a week

Expert Help as You Adjust

Each year, approximately 100,000 people of all ages have surgery resulting in an ostomy. While this life-saving procedure can also seem life changing, people with an ostomy find they can continue their usual activities — attending school, working, playing sports, swimming and enjoying relationships.

Transitioning to daily life after an ostomy isn’t without challenges, and we’re here to help. As Lincoln’s only dedicated Ostomy Outpatient Clinic, CHI Health St. Elizabeth is proud to offer education and support to individuals with stomas (colostomy, ileostomy and urostomy). We also provide care and solutions to people with feeding tubes that are experiencing difficulty at the insertion site.

Our specially-trained nurses provide the trusted, accurate information you need to gain confidence and thrive in your “new normal” life. We know that questions and concerns can arise at any time, so we work with you whenever the need arises — before and long after surgery. 

Before Your Operation

You’ll likely have many questions and concerns before your operation. We’re experienced at addressing:

• Surgical procedures
• Life with a stoma
• Pre-/post-surgery nutrition and hydration
• Ostomy appliances and supplies (how to choose and where to obtain them)
• Stoma marking to determine best placement
• Returning to active lifestyle
• Individual concerns
• Feeding tube insertion site skin care management

After Your Operation

The learning curve continues after stoma placement. We’re here to help with:

• Education on stoma management, self-care, hygiene and skin health
• Care coordination and management for patients with a new and existing stoma, including dietary guidance
• Review of pouching and appliance systems to assure proper fit
• Collaboration with home health and/or rehab facilities for continuity of care after discharge

Continence Management

If you are experiencing incontinence, our experienced nurses perform a complete evaluation to identify contributing factors. A plan of care is developed for each patient to address their specific needs and capabilities. 

Ongoing Support

Adjusting to life with a stoma is easier when you have continued support. We provide education and assistance for:

• Pouching and appliance systems as problems arise
• Skin irritations, peristomal skin damage, infections, ulcers and/or rashes
• Fistula and tube stabilization management
• Lifestyle changes and anxieties related to an ostomy and a feeding tube
• Assistance with ordering supplies
  

Board-certified Nurses Trained for Wound, Ostomy and Continence Care

CHI Health St. Elizabeth Ostomy Outpatient Clinic nurses have received certification in this specialty care from the Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nursing Certification Board. Less than 10,000 nurses in the U.S. have this certification. 

We are pleased to offer the Survivors Offering Assistance in Recovery (SOAR) program to our Regional Burn and Wound Care Center. SOAR is a program designed by the Phoenix Society and health care professionals to provide training to burn survivors or their family members who want to volunteer to help others who have been impacted by a burn injury.

The program helps everyone – patients, their families, the hospital team and the person providing the support. Patients benefit from talking with someone who shares similar experiences. Peer supporters benefit because it is a way to give back and help others transition from a burn victim to a burn survivor.

All peer supporters go through a screening process and receive training, which gives them the skills and information needed to effectively provide support for recovering patients and their families. After training is complete, the program matches volunteers with patients who have been identified as wanting to speak to another burn survivor.

If you have experienced a burn injury and are interested in helping other burn survivors, please contact our SOAR Coordinator at (402) 219-7871.

In addition to short educational sessions we offer Advanced Burn Life Support (ABLS) classes through the American Burn Association.  Advanced Burn Life Support is a certification course with the goal of advancing the knowledge of healthcare professionals in the early management of burn patients to improve patient outcomes.

• The Advanced Burn Life Support Provider Course is an eight-hour course for physicians, nurses, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, therapists and paramedics.
• The course provides guidelines in the assessment and management of the burn patient during the first 24 hours post injury.
• Following a series of lectures, case studies are presented for group discussions.
• You will be given the opportunity to work with a simulated burn patient to reinforce the assessment, stabilization, and the American Burn Association transfer criteria to a Burn Center.
• Final testing consists of a written exam and a practical assessment return demonstration.

CHI Health St. Elizabeth offers ABLS courses approximately twice per year.  We also have developed the ability to bring the course to you by a combination of virtual lectures and on site case studies and testing.