Caring for burn patients in CT

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (WTNH) -- It's the only dedicated 'burn care' facility in Connecticut, and it's where most burn patients are treated. The Burn Center at Bridgeport Hospital was recently renovated, and a lot of the money for the 'state of the art' unit was raised by Connecticut firefighters.
 
Most days it is full with patients, just like the day News 8's Jocelyn Maminta took a tour of the facility.  

Patients across Connecticut and neighboring states come through the doors at the recently updated Connecticut Burn Center at Bridgeport Hospital.

"She has severe burns, fractures," Joneen Monitto said.

Monitto has a sister there.

"Emotionally, I'm falling apart," Monitto said, "but strong just knowing that she is in the best care possible."

Among those caring for critical patients is Dr. Roselle Crombie, a surgeon who specializes in burn treatment.

"It's the only one in the state," Dr. Crombie said, "we are a verified burn center."

It's there where patients are exposed to new techniques and state of the art equipment.

"This is the newest technology in shower tables," said Dr. Crombie. "When you have an open wound, there's a lot of gel and stuff that can just breathe bacteria and that just washes it away and then effectively we are able to do their dressings here in a warm environment."   

For patients' families, a suite, complete with a living room and kitchen area.

"That's huge for the family, and that's huge for our patients," said Jackie Laird, CT Burn Center, "and that makes our care easier and we are able to involve them so much more in their care." 

Huge for the staff, work flow safety.      

"We really thought out the layout of the nurse's station to make it safe for the nurses who were pouring meds, where linen is distributed, so nurses aren't walking back and forth and wasting time doing all of those things," said Laird.

There is also now a rehab area on the floor.

"They get to use all of the equipment so they're really inspired, they're motivated and they can focus on the rehab part," said Lindsay Neumann, CT Burn Center occupational therapist.

Thankful families like Monitto's find comfort as they face what could be a long road to recovery.

"If it were any farther, it would be a lot more difficult for the family," said Monitto. 

The Burn Center provides care to 200 inpatients and 800 outpatients every year. And the fundraising continues with fire departments around the state still leading the charge.