Shriners Children’s Texas Hosts a Course on Enhancing Pediatric Burn Patient Outcomes: Preparing for Stabilization and Transport

In the treatment of pediatric burn injuries, the first encounter between the patient and medical personnel is critical. The initial care a child receives after sustaining a burn injury can make a significant difference in their overall recovery. Recognizing this, Shriners Children's Texas and the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) in Galveston have developed a specialized training course: Enhancing Pediatric Burn Patient Outcomes: Preparing for Stabilization and Transport. This course aims to equip first responders, emergency room providers, and transport personnel with the skills and knowledge to provide optimal care when faced with pediatric burn injuries.

The course focuses on teaching best practices in burn management from the moment the injury occurs until the child is safely transported to a burn center. Since the initial treatment a patient receives can have a profound impact on their survival and long-term recovery, this training is invaluable. As Vickie, the manager of respiratory services at Shriners Children's Texas, explained, "Every hour counts in the transport of a pediatric patient with a burn injury."

The course includes a combination of lectures and hands-on demonstrations. Key topics covered are patient stabilization, the initiation of IV fluids and fluid resuscitation, and securing the patient's airway. This is essential, especially in cases of smoke inhalation that may complicate or impair breathing. The goal is to ensure that healthcare providers are prepared to address these critical needs effectively and quickly, minimizing complications during transport.

"Initial treatment for burn care is different from a typical trauma patient," Vickie said. "You want to have them stabilized before you begin the transport process."

This training, which follows the American Burn Association's Advanced Burn Life Support guidelines, helps participants understand how to assess burn severity and provide immediate, life-saving interventions. The course also emphasizes the importance of fluid management and airway protection, two aspects of care that are particularly vital in pediatric burn patients. The in-depth training provided by this course can help assure that patients with burn injuries arrive at specialized burn centers in stable condition.

The course has a long history, originating nearly 20 years ago as an in-house training program at Shriners Children's Texas. Over time, it expanded to include external providers, aiming to improve burn care across the region. Now, the course serves as an essential resource for healthcare professionals across multiple disciplines, helping to ensure that every burn patient receives the best care possible during those first critical hours.