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Family-centred burn care
1Vancouver Hospital and Health Sciences Centre, Vancouver General Hospital Site, B.C.
Insights
Burn units traditionally isolate patients, but evolving knowledge on family support benefits prompts a cautious shift towards more open care models in specialized burn treatment centers.
Area of Science:
- Medical Care
- Hospital Management
- Patient Support
Background:
- Burn units traditionally operate under strict isolation protocols to prevent infection.
- Vancouver Hospital and Health Sciences Centre houses a 15-bed specialized burn care unit.
- Existing protocols were primarily designed for infection control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the transition from traditional isolation in burn units.
- To adapt burn care practices considering the benefits of family support.
- To cautiously integrate changes into a specialized burn care setting.
Main Methods:
- Review of traditional burn unit isolation practices.
- Consideration of universal precautions in infection control.
- Evaluation of the impact of family support on patient outcomes.
Main Results:
- The study highlights a traditional model of burn care focused on isolation.
- It acknowledges the increasing awareness of family support's positive effects.
- The implementation of changes has been gradual and cautious.
Conclusions:
- Burn unit care is moving away from strict isolation.
- Family support is increasingly recognized as beneficial for burn patients.
- Specialized burn units are cautiously adapting to incorporate more open care models.
Abstract:
Traditionally, burn units are places of isolation, where all facets of care are carefully controlled. The atmosphere is sterile, visitors are restricted, and real flowers are not allowed. At Vancouver Hospital and Health Sciences Centre, a 1,500-bed tertiary care hospital, burn care for adults and children from throughout British Columbia is provided in our 15-bed special care unit. Like most burn units, ours had been designed primarily on the principle of preventing infection. The advent of universal precautions and the growing body of knowledge about the short- and long-term benefits of family support had started us on the road to change, but we were moving cautiously and somewhat reluctantly.