Services Offered
We have an eight-bed intensive care unit (ICU) dedicated to adult and pediatric burn patients. Our care team includes specialists from:
- Surgery
- Anesthesiology & Critical Care
- Pediatrics
- Nursing
- Dietary Services
- Physical Therapy
- Occupational Therapy
- Social Services
- Psychology
- Child Protective Services
- Child Life
- Pastoral Care
The Burn Center addresses all aspects of thermal injuries--from transport to acute care to post-burn rehabilitation. We provide state-of-the-art care for burns and complex wounds as well as treatment for burn scars and deformities.
Burn Care at the Forefront
Patients are cared for by a team of doctors, nurses and staff from the Section of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery and the Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care. In addition to acute, life saving burn care, this unique multidisciplinary team brings perspective and expertise from both reconstructive and critical care disciplines to each patient. The vast expertise and resources from other disciplines within the University of Chicago Medical Center are immediately available, as needed.
Participation by nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, social work, nutrition, respiratory therapy, child life therapy, and pastoral care contribute to create an environment capable of providing expert comprehensive care for all of our patients.
Research
In addition to specialized clinical care, the Burn Center serves as a source for several ongoing research projects, including:
- Biology of scar formation and control
- Molecular and cellular aspects of electrical injury
- Impact of nutritional supplements to wound healing
- Anesthetic pain management
- Pediatric pain control
- Aspects of pediatric post traumatic stress disorder (in conjunction with a psychologist at La Rabida Children's Hospital)
Community Involvement
The Burn Center staff participates in community burn education and serves as an informational resource. Anesthesiologists, nurses, and surgeons in the Burn Center teach local and regional Advanced Burn Life Support courses, as well as refresher courses in the pre-hospital and hospital care of the burn injured patient. Our staff also participates in the annual Illinois Fire Safety Alliance Burn Camp, a summer program geared toward children with burn injuries.
Accommodations
The Burn Center is fortunate to have a Ronald McDonald House, which provides accommodations for the families of our out-of-town pediatric patients.
More Information
- Services Offered
- Our Team
