Burn & Wound Care

Philosophy of Burn Care

At CHI Health St. Elizabeth Regional Burn Trauma and Wound Center our team believes that our patients are injured, not ill.  Our philosophy is that early aggressive rehabilitation and therapy, alongside quality burn and wound care, lead to improved healing rates and a return to the patient’s previous life and abilities, sooner.  Our team may ask you or your loved one to participate as actively as possible in their recovery by doing as much as possible for themselves right from the start.  

Our Burn Center physicians are skilled in all aspects of burn care. They are trained in intensive, critical care and pediatric intensive care. They also call on other medical personnel when appropriate, such as cardiac specialists, plastic and reconstructive surgeons, pulmonary and rehabilitation specialists. Our Burn Center directors oversee all activities.

Nursing Staff

Our registered nurses and licensed practical nurses spend the longest period of time each day with our patients. They are specially trained in burn care. Our nurses will do everything possible to help each patient reach the best level of recovery possible. Our nurses rely on assistance and cooperation from our patients and their families.

Physical Therapists

Our physical therapists play a key role in the daily care of each patient. Their responsibilities may include daily baths, assisting in debridement, exercises, positioning, assisting with splints, and developing a home exercise program. The physical therapist will also follow the patient after discharge. The successful preservation of function of burned arms, legs, hands, and feet depends on the cooperation of the patient with education support from the physical therapist.

Occupational Therapists

Our occupational therapists evaluate and develop therapy programs to preserve or restore a patient's daily activities to as near normal as possible. They help determine the need for splints, work on positioning and exercises, diversional activities (crafts), evaluate needs, teaching new ways to maintain daily living skills, and providing a home rehabilitation program.

Nutritionists

Burn patients require a dramatic increase in nutritional intake to support their healing process. They typically need to maintain a high calorie and protein intake (3,000 to 4,000 calories daily.) Our dietitians and nutritionists develop plans to both minimize weight loss and promote wound healing. They may also need to require supplemental feedings. Our nutrition specialists, just like our entire Burn Center team, are available to meet with families for any special food considerations of the patient.

Social Workers

Sometimes a hospital stay can create hardships for the family. Our Social Service personnel are available to assist when such problems arise. There is no charge for this service. If necessary, we can put family members in touch with helpful agencies in the community. Social workers will also work closely with the patient and family to determine the best discharge plan for the individual person.

Respiratory Therapists

Our respiratory therapists team administer oxygen, medication or other assistance for patients who may be in acute or severe respiratory distress due to inhalation of noxious agents, or other lung problems such as pneumonia. In more severe circumstances a patient may need additional assistance in breathing with the aid of a ventilator.

Pastoral Care

Our pastoral care team of a priest, sisters, chaplains and lay people, serve the immediate religious (multi-denominational) and spiritual needs of our patients and families in the Burn Center. They are available on 24-hour call for these services.

Volunteers

When available, volunteers in the Burn Center provide emotional support, serve as a resource person to patients and families, relay pertinent information to the nurses, deliver personal e-mails from relatives and friends, and help the patient with snacks and meals. Our volunteers also provide social activities for our patients.

Pharmacists

Our Pharmacists ensure all aspects of medications are as safe as possible for each patient enhancing our high quality patient care and positive patient outcomes. The pharmacist participates in multi-disciplinary care rounds, provides pain consults, assists with burn research, and precepts 4th year pharmacy students doing rotations in burn and wound care.

At CHI Health St. Elizabeth Regional Burn Trauma and Wound Center we believe prevention and early burn care is a key activity in our communities.   One way we accomplish this goal is providing teaching to our community partners.  Whether your group is healthcare consumers, such as Kiwanis, church groups or similar, or a healthcare group such as EMS squads (volunteer or paid), schools of nursing or allied health, hospitals, clinics, or anything in between we can provide education to you and your colleagues.  Generally education sessions are approximately 1-2 hours in length but can be customized to your group. 

Topics include:

• Prevention activities
  
• Early burn care and stabilization for healthcare professionals
  
• Burn care and treatment 
  
• Frostbite
  
• School re-entry programs
  
• First aid in burns
  
• Any topic surrounding burns and burn care!
  

Advanced Laser Scar Therapy dramatically improves the look and feel of burn, injury and surgical scars. It is 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

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 Advanced Laser Scar Therapy Works

Advanced Laser Scar Therapy uses a powerful and precise laser 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

The laser 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

Call (402) 219-7717 to see if you are eligible for treatment. 

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. 

This course is designed for Providers, Nurses, Therapists, and EMS volunteers and professionals guidelines and skills in the assessment and management of an acutely burn injured patient in the first 24 hours post injury. This course is designed with a half day lecture series, case studies, moulaged patient scenarios and testing. Register online for the next ABLS session.