In Maryland, Johns Hopkins Children’s Center is now Baltimore’s regional pediatric burn center. The new designation, assigned by the Maryland Institute For Emergency Medical Services, means that the Children’s Center will take care of burn victims that are 15-years-of age or younger in the city of Baltimore and from the surrounding areas. Adults burn victims will continue to receive care at the Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center.
The new arrangement should help provide faster medical care for everyone involved. The Children’s Center offers nnumerous services, such as reconstructive and plastic surgery, pain management, anesthesiology, psychology, nursing, social work, injury prevention, psychiatry, rehabilitation, general surgery,
and infectious diseases.
This year, 80 children have been treated at the Children’s Center for severe burns.
In 2001, According to national burn injury statistics provided by Connecticut Safe Kids, more than 500 children, 14 years of age and under died in residential fires while 40,000 others were injured. Of these:
· 40 children were under 12 months old.
· 226 children were between one and four years of age.
· 153 children were between the ages of five and nine.
· 101 children were 10 to 14 years of age.
In 2001, nearly 4,500 children visited the emergency room due to residential fire injures. Of these:
· 1,555 children were ages 0-4 years.
· 1,135 children were ages 5-9 years.
· 1,765 children were ages 10-14 years.
· It is estimated that flames and burns are responsible for one-fourth of all fire-related deaths and injuries.
· Approximately 75,000 children, ages 14 and under, are treated in hospital emergency rooms for thermal burn-related injuries, including flames and contact burns. Children, ages 14 and under account for nearly half of all emergency room treated thermal burns.
· Nearly 31,500 children are treated in hospital emergency rooms for scald burn-related injuries each year. Children ages 4 and under account for nearly all of the deaths and the majority of the injuries that result from this type of burn.
· Children ages 4 and under are especially at risk for scald and contact burns and are at the greatest risk for fire-related deaths.
Shriners Hospital For Children describes the kinds of burns a person can sustain and offers advice on how to respond while you are waiting for a medical professional to attend to the child:
1- Thermal burns are caused by contact with an open flame or other source of high heat, including appliances, steam or hot liquids.
· Put out any fire or flame or stop contact with steam, liquid or object.
· Remove hot or burned clothing, if possible.
· Cool injured area with running water within 30 seconds.
· Stop any bleeding.
· Cover burned area with sterile pad or clean sheet.
· Attempt to maintain victims body temperature.
· Seek medical help.
2- Chemical burns are caused by contact with strong acids or bases. Household products such as bleach, concrete mix, and pool chlorinators are among the most common sources of chemical burns.
· Flush affected skin with cool, running water for 20 minutes or more. If the chemical is a powder, brush it off the skin before flushing.
· Seek medical help. Even if the area is washed, the chemical may have penetrated.
· Contact poison control or your local emergency room.
3- Electrical burns occur when strong electrical currents pass through the body. These burns may appear minor, but the damage can extend deep into the tissues beneath the skin.
· Look first and do not touch the victim, as the person may still be in contact with the electrical source.
· Pull the plug or shut off any electrical current.
· Check the victims breathing. If the breathing has stopped or you suspect the airway is blocked, begin CPR.
· Cover affected areas using a sterile gauze bandage or clean cloth. Do not use a blanket or towel as fluffy fibers can be irritating.
· Seek medical help.
For any burn:
· NEVER apply lotions, ointments, or creams to the affected area.
· NEVER use adhesive dressings.
· NEVER break blisters.
The personal injury law firm of Lebowitz and Mzhen handles injury lawsuits that are a result of someone else’s negligence. Among our many areas of expertise, we are experienced at handling cases involving burn injuries and injuries to minors. Contact Lebowitz and Mzhen for a free consultation.
Hopkins Named Regional Burn Center For Children, WJZ.com, October 26, 2006
Burn Injury Fact Sheet, Connecticut Safe Kids
Burn Injuries, Shriners Hospital For Children
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