Burns – one of the most severe and complex traumatic injuries

Burns are one of the most severe forms of trauma. Prompt pre-hospital emergency medical care, evaluation at a dedicated burn unit, highly specialised in-hospital care by a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals, and multidisciplinary rehabilitation are all crucial to achieve the best possible outcomes for burn victims in terms of survival, recovery, and future quality of life.

Types of burns and when to seek medical assistance

Netcare uses the South African Triage Scale to assess the severity of the condition of each patient seeking assistance at our emergency departments. Assessing the severity of each patient's condition enables us to assign treatment priorities based on the urgency of their condition.

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Types of burns and when to seek medical assistance

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First degree burns

First degree or superficial partial thickness burns are the least serious as it only impacts the outer layer of the skin. The skin is red, swollen and painful, and blisters sometimes form. The skin usually heals with little or no scarring.

Seek medical care if you are uncertain about the severity of a burn, or for any burn that is bigger than the size of a hand palm.

Our multidisciplinary, holistic approach to burn care

Due to the complex and highly challenging nature of severe burn injuries, patients require highly specialised acute medical treatment and rehabilitation over a prolonged period.

We follow a holistic approach to care for each burn patient, focusing on both the patient’s medical needs and emotional wellbeing, not forgetting their loved ones who also need ongoing support.

Each burn patient’s injuries, condition, circumstances, and needs are unique. All these factors are taken into consideration on an ongoing basis in decisions about the most appropriate care for them.

Severe burns have a major impact on the body’s functioning, and continuous close monitoring and agile adaptation of treatment, if indicated, is critical for a patient’s survival and progress.

Decisions about the best and safest care at various stages of a patient’s progress are made by a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals, in consultation with the patient or their loved ones.

Rehabilitation to enhance burn patients’ functional abilities and independence

Set in a tranquil garden environment, Netcare Rehabilitation Hospital in Johannesburg is usually the last ‘healthcare home’ for a burn patient before being discharged.

A multidisciplinary team including occupational, speech and physiotherapists as well as doctors, nurses, and social workers at the facility collaborate closely to develop a comprehensive, customised rehabilitation plan for each adult or child patient with physical impairments such as those brought about by severe burns.

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Rehabilitation to enhance burn patients’ functional abilities and independence

Advanced technology such as Lokomat® robotic walking equipment, together with electrical stimulation and hydrotherapy in the facility’s indoor swimming pool are used to great effect in the rehabilitation programme.

The goal of the rehabilitation programme is to enhance the patient’s residual functional abilities and optimise their level of independence so that they can function as independently as possible.

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Courage and perseverance can bring a new future

With its reputation for world class care, the burn unit at Netcare Milpark Hospital has treated thousands of patients with severe, life threatening burn injuries. With patients often remaining in the unit for extended periods, it is the stories of patients’ courage in persevering against all odds and carving a new future for themselves after their discharge that motivate and affirm healthcare practitioners. It is through these stories that they come to know that their commitment to care for each patient with compassion, dignity, and respect does make a meaningful difference.

Stories of hope

The remarkable story of Kechi Okwuchi

Kechi was a 16 year old schoolgirl when, in 2005, she sustained 65% burns to her body in a plane crash in Nigeria. She arrived in a critical condition at the burn unit, where she had to be resuscitated and received treatment for over seven months.

Stories of hope

The remarkable story of Kechi Okwuchi

Kechi’s fighting spirit not only pulled her through the ordeal but saw her rebuilding her life and performing on America’s Got Talent in 2017 – to the delight of the Netcare Milpark Hospital team who fought so hard to save her life. Years later the team was thrilled to watch her, on television, using her beautiful voice to shine on stage.