On August 4, 2023 at Lincoln South Rotary Club we heard from RN Eric Jensen of the Burn Center at CHI Health St Elizabeth.
Eric provided an overview of the history of the CHI Health St. Elizabeth Burn Unit. It became one of the first verified burn units in the U.S. in 1973. They are celebrating 50 years as a regional burn center this year
It is Nebraska's only burn center, serving patients from Nebraska, South Dakota, Colorado, Iowa, Wyoming and Kansas. It started with 4 beds and 1 "tub" and the initial staff was trained at Shriners in Galveston.
Dr. Gillespie and his team later developed the Advanced Burn Life Support Course that continues today sponsored by the American Burn Association for training.
In 1988 they received approval for $6.8 million budget to move and expand. They would then have 10 beds, 2 tub rooms and a sunroom. One of the operating rooms was dedicated to the burn unit. They were conveniently located near the emergency room and helipad.In 2006 they moved again, expanding to 16 beds, adding tub rooms and gaining much needed space.
Then in 2020 they received a generous donation to remodel the unit. They were able to make aesthetic changes but ensured that they were functional and patient-focused. They added a patient therapy room and expanded and updated the family waiting area.
He explained that the "tubs" weren't really tubs. Instead they are beds where the patient can be cleaned - more like a "shower bed".
In the burn unit they don't just treat burn victims, but provide other wound care. They treat all ages - pediatric to adult. They have an annual burn camp for children and their siblings. The camp was cancelled temporarily with due to COVID.
He talked about the Phoenix SOAR. Their website tag line is "Nothing Heals People Like Other People". Phoenix SOAR connects survivors and loved ones with others who have experienced similar trauma. It connects those with injuries or those with loved ones that are burn survivors.
Eric gave some information about the science and medicine of a burn. He talked about how they determine the % of the body - when we hear reports like "burned over 40% of the body" for example.
We also heard about the layers of the skin and how they determine 1st, 2nd and 3rd degree burns.
Epidermis - This is the outer layer and most important function is protection. The outermost cells die and are continuously replaced helping to make your skin waterproof. Reports of 1st degree burns are when the epidermis is damaged.
Dermis - This is the much thicker layer and this layer has several items located in it, some of these are : hair follicles, sweat glands, nerve endings, and elastin to name a few. 2nd degree burns damage the dermis layer.
Hypodermis - Deepest layer and connects the skin to the muscles and bones deep under the skin. These 3rd degree burns usually need skin graft.
Eric shared photos of burn patients and their wounds. But he closed by sharing photos of successes. When he first started someone told him he would not last 6 months. He has now been there 25 years. And this is why - the successes - patients that are treated and able to leave the hospital - they are smiling and thanking the nurses that took care of them.
BIO from the Internet
Eric Jensen is an RN with the Burn Center in CHI Health St Elizabeth Lincoln, Nebraska. Eric has worked as a Tech and a Nurse in the acute setting along with the outpatient side of the Burn Center. For over 20 years he has worked to help patients and families with burn injuries. Eric has also been doing community Outreach with the burn center, educating Nurses, Physician, Hospitals, EMS and the community. He is an ABLS (Advanced Burn Life Support) Instructor and has helped teach many classes. When he is not teaching burn education he enjoys spending time with his family and friends.