Who Cares for You?

In addition to burn surgeons, you’ll receive care from an array of other health care professionals, including nurses, physical and occupational therapists, dietitians and more.

Addressing all your needs

Our child life specialists help children recover from burn injuries. They use specially designed play therapy sessions and even video games to help children keep their mind off their injury.

Registered Nurses, Physician Assistants and Nurse Practitioners

These professionals and support staff all have special education in critical care, burns, trauma and pediatrics. They provide much of the day-to-day care for you or your loved one and will be your primary contact when you’re at the Regional Burn Center.

Physiatrist

This type of doctor specializes in physical medicine and rehabilitation for persons who have disabling conditions. He directs the rehabilitation, nursing and other members of your care team. The physiatrist sees all critically injured patients admitted to the Regional Burn Center, setting rehabilitation goals and coordinating the best treatment plan.

Physical and Occupational Therapists

Therapists work to prevent or reduce disability or pain and restore lost function. They focus on joint mobility, strength, location, balance, posture, endurance, flexibility and functional skills. Treatment may include stretching, splinting, heat, cold and other therapies.

Case Manager

This professional provides support and information on your insurance providers, assists in discharge planning and assures your needs after leaving the hospital are coordinated and met.

Respiratory Therapist

The respiratory therapist works directly with the nurse and burn surgeon to determine the best method of mechanical ventilation, measure the effectiveness of ventilation and monitor changes. In addition, this therapist assists with the overall respiratory care for all patients.

Clinical Dietitian

This professional recommends the appropriate nutrition and evaluates ongoing nutritional care. This care continues until the patient is discharged.

Clinical Social Workers

The social worker is an important member of the burn care team, assisting you and your loved ones with transportation, overnight accommodations, as well as with referrals to counseling agencies, burn support groups and ongoing support.

Child Life Services

A child life therapist plays an important role in the child’s recovery during a hospital stay with a specially designed play therapy session. Because play is a child’s way of dealing with self, others and life, children can work out difficult problems by using different types of play.

Pediatric Team

The Regional Burn Center works together with the Lehigh Valley Hospital Department of Pediatrics to meet the special needs of children. Your child may receive care in our Pediatric Intensive Care Unit or Pediatric Inpatient Unit. All children are seen by a team of physicians and nurses, including a child life therapist who specializes in pediatric care. The care team in the Regional Burn Center meets daily with the pediatric team to provide a comprehensive plan of care and deliver specialized burn care.

Operating Room Team

The operating room team is made up of anesthesiologists, nurse anesthetists, nurses and surgical technicians. They work closely with the burn surgeons and have expertise in the surgical care of burn patients.

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