New booklet helps burn victims and their families during difficult time

It took just a second to change young Émil Couillard’s life.

Published by the Montreal Children’s Hospital Burn Trauma Program, it explains the burn treatment and recovery process to help kids heal 

 October 7, 2013: Each year, 200 infants, children or teens are treated for burns at the Montreal Children’s Hospital (MCH) Trauma Centre of the MUHC . About 20 to 30 of these children are so severely injured they are admitted to hospital.   It can be an extremely difficult and scary time for the child and family. 

To help patients and families cope, the Trauma specialists at the hospital have published a bilingual booklet called The Management of Burn Trauma in Children and Teens. “It explains the different severities of burns, the various treatment phases and the healing process. It also provides advice on treating the injury once the child has returned home with information about dressing changes, scarring and medication. The booklet includes information on the potential psychological impact including issues related to body image.  The information is intended for the family of a child or teen who has sustained a burn trauma. It is our intention to enhance their understanding of burn care management through.the different stages of recovery and facilitate their eventual return home.” says Debbie Friedman, MCH Trauma Director, and Assistant Professor in the Department of Pediatrics in the Faculty of Medicine at Mcgill University . The booklet will be given to families who have been admitted for burn care at the MCH and will be placed on the hospital website (thechildren.com/trauma) so families across Quebec and around the world can benefit from the information and advice. The booklet can also be a good resource for health professionals working in the area of burn trauma.

“Having a child in the hospital with a burn injury can be a traumatic experience. The booklet is designed to give patients and families information on what to expect throughout the different phases of their hospital stay, treatment and recovery,” says lead author Diane Richard, a nurse and Trauma Coordinator of the Burn Trauma Program of the MCH.

The booklet was made possible thanks to a generous donation from the Quebec Firefighters Foundation for Major Burn Victims.   “As firefighters we know a severe burn can be one of the most traumatic injuries a child can suffer not only physically but emotionally,” says Raymond Barabé, Secretary of the Quebec Firefighters Foundation for Major Burn Victims.  “Our Foundation is proud to support the work of the trauma specialists at the Montreal Children’s Hospital.”

Ms. Friedman points out that most burns are preventable and taking some simple steps like replacing batteries in fire detectors, using a travel mug around the house for hot drinks, exercising caution around BBQ’s or campfires, and closely supervising children in the kitchen around hot liquids can go a long way to preventing traumatic burn injuries. She encourages people to find out more about burn injury prevention on the hospital website www.thechildren.com. 

SOURCE: The Montreal Children’s Hospital Foundation

For further information:

Stephanie Tsirgiotis
Public Relations and Communications
Montreal Children’s Hospital
514-412-4400, local 23870
[email protected]