Since the 1960s, Shriners Children’s has pioneered in the world of burn care, contributing to major advancements in acute and reconstructive burn care for children. Shriners Children's has been an innovator in the development of research and education. These efforts have dramatically improved survival rates over the last 50 years. If your child is burned, know that our multidisciplinary team has the expertise to care for your child and guide you through every step of the healing process.
Three Shriners Children's locations providing burn care are accredited by the American Burn Association (ABA) and the American College of Surgeons (ACS) as verified pediatric burn centers.
We have a strong connection to and history with the ABA. All of the Shriners Children's burn care chiefs of staff at the above locations have been presidents of the ABA. These distinctions display the depth of the burn care support services we provide, as well as the vast amounts of research we lead on behalf of our patients and children around the world who’ve been burned.
The most severe and potentially life-threatening burn is a fourth-degree burn. Fourth-degree burns are the highest degree of burn. They affect all layers of the skin, muscles, tendons and even bone.
Fourth-degree burns are serious and painful, and they leave parents desperate to find relief and expert care for their child. At Shriners Children’s, all the specialists your child may need will be available when you come for care. Your child’s surgeons, nurses, physical and occupational therapists, and care managers understand the concerns of children and parents navigating this journey.
At Shriners Children’s, your child will be cared for by medical leaders in burn care. We understand just how traumatic a burn injury of this magnitude can be. Our team of surgical specialists will assess your child’s burn injury and develop a treatment plan to produce the best outcomes. This often begins with excising and grafting the burn as soon as possible after the injury. This process reduces the risk of infection, usually resulting in a shorter hospital stay.
Skin grafting is highly effective in closing acute wounds quickly to help regulate body temperature, prevent infection and allow for proper body fluids to continue functioning. To further prevent infection, wounds are expertly cleaned and an extended stay in our pediatric intensive care ensures your child a successful recovery.
Child life specialists are available to reduce the stresses associated with staying in the hospital and they help teach your child coping skills. They accomplish this by providing opportunities for your child to play, learn and interact with others in an emotionally safe environment.
Shriners Children's believes in providing children with severe burn injuries the type of care that supports an opportunity for that child to live a "life without limits," despite their injuries. This includes ongoing scar management as the child grows into adulthood. Occupational and physical therapists also work with children to develop the tools they need to regain their mobility and achieve the best outcomes.
Shriners Children's knows that a burn injury is life altering both for the child and for the family. That's why we offer full support and instruction for the child's care provider before going home. Patients and their family members also have access to psychological therapy during their in-patient stay, and throughout their extended care at Shriners Children's.
To assist patients and families with returning home, Shriners Children's offers a school re-entry program. Managed by our child life staff and psychologists, the purpose of the program is to ease a child's transition back into their school and community. Our child life staff can share presentations and videos with your child's school or even accompany your child back into the classroom to talk with their fellow students and teachers.
Specific treatments and services may vary by location. Please contact a specific location for more information.
The multidisciplinary team approached my recovery from every angle - my physical and emotional health, physical and occupational therapy, and more. I even stayed on track with some school tutoring.
