question for experienced burn nurses

gwenith, BSN, RN · Apr 28, 2004

With some of the newer technology we can get some survivals but it depends - do they have respiratory burns - what area of the body is NOT burnt??? How old are they??

sallee13 · Apr 28, 2004

having done this for over 5 years i would say no. i know that age and inhalation injury play into the answer but i would say no. the highest percentage i have seen survive is 70 % in a 20 year old with no inhalation injury. we have also had several 9o % burns come through without survival.

jemb · Apr 28, 2004

Thanks for the quick replies.

Age mid forties but very good/athletic physical condition. A small part of one foot was not burned. Not sure about respiratory burns, but said a few words to friends at the scene before losing consciousness- if that is any indication of anything.

I've not been to visit because of the distance, but have been getting messages from family and friends. Every time I see their messages, I think "Why are you doing this? There's no chance!!!" But I don't say anything. It's just so sad.

gwenith, BSN, RN · Apr 28, 2004

Does NOT sound good at all. Usually if you have at least one area of skin that can be harvested for grafting there is a lot more chance.

jemb · May 2, 2004

Just wanted to say thanks to Gwenith and Sallee for their replies to my questions. Sadly, my friend did not survive -- no surprise. To me, it is more surprising that he survived as long as he did after the accident. His family members who lived across the country were able to be at his bedside before he passed.

So many times we see that, don't we? It just seems as if folks 'hang on' for a wedding, a graduation, an anniversary, or for a particular person to arrive. I've seen that so many times with my onc pts...

gwenith, BSN, RN · May 2, 2004

Sorry to hear about your friend - as an onc nurse you would be more than aware that sometimes "saving" someone is not always the right thing to do.

jemb · May 2, 2004

Thanks, Gwenith. I'm sure he would have had essentially no quality of life had he survived. He was a remarkable person, full of fun and energy.

It was just a senseless and totally preventable accident. That fact has left his famly and many people who knew him both shocked and bewildered.

At least now his family will be able to resume (and rebuild) their own lives.

renerian, BSN, RN · May 2, 2004

I am sorry he did not survive but I am relieved he is no longer suffering.

Hugs,

renerian

Kyriaka · Oct 26, 2004

As a burn patient (60% 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, and inhalation) let me say...there is a ALWAYS hope. Always.

sallee13 · Nov 5, 2004

sorry to hear about your friend, but there are some things worse than death.

Carr1955 · Dec 4, 2008

Just a note for thought. I was burned over 90% of my body in 1959-60. I was 4 or 5 years old at the time and male. I was treated in San Francisco by a caring and generous staff. It was always communicated to me by my family that I was the first to survive burns this severe to that date. I was an Easter Seal poster child. I attribute my recovery to talented doctors and nurses, my tenacious mother and family and many, many others, along with a personal genetic meaness and will to live. I also understand that age plays a major part in survivorship.

I know this is an old thread but, in searching for sources, I found this site and postings and thought I should make an effort, as it seems there is not much information about on the subject.

Strange and wonderous is the world.