Shriners Children's Boston Leads in Burn Care

The verified burn care program at Shriners Children's Boston is uniquely equipped to treat pediatric burn injuries ranging from outpatient care to cases that require surgery and extensive inpatient stays. Families seeking burn care get all their treatment needs met in one location by a team of specialists who focus solely on burns. Utilizing the latest innovations in burn treatment, the hospital's multidisciplinary care model optimizes outcomes for patients throughout New England, across the country and around the world.

Shriners Children's Boston is the longest-running American Burn Association exclusively pediatric verified burn care program in New England and New York. "This distinction means that our hospital has the proven ability to deliver the full spectrum of care to children with burn injuries," said Robert Sheridan, M.D., chief of staff and director of the burn service at Shriners Children's Boston. "It represents the commitment of our skilled and experienced staff to care for burn patients and their families, whatever it takes."

When a child sustains a serious burn injury and is admitted to Shriners Children's Boston, acute burn and trauma surgeons, reconstructive and plastic surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses and nurse practitioners collaborate to provide prompt assessment and immediate care. "Burns are a team sport," said Melissa DiPiro, MSN, RN, CPNP-PC/AC, a nurse practitioner who treats patients in both the outpatient clinic and inpatient unit. "The first few hours determine long-term outcomes not just for survival but healing and function, which is most important for pediatric patients."

The hospital's wraparound care model provides access to other critical services, including psychiatry, psychology, nutrition, physical and occupational therapy, and psychosocial support from child life specialists. A care manager serves as the family's main point of contact, providing support and resources as they navigate their child's hospitalization. Available all in one location, each patient's care team is focused on providing interventions that minimize scarring, restore function and allow children to heal both physically and emotionally.

As a pediatric verified burn program, the Shriners Children's Boston team has the knowledge and experience to address the unique needs of young burn patients. "Children aren't tiny adults," said Melissa. "Their smaller bodies add complexity. They need weight-based medication prescribed by a knowledgeable provider, and access to educated rehabilitation therapists who keep their growth and mobility at the forefront of treatment."

At outpatient visits for less severe burns, all Shriners Children's Boston patients are seen by nurse practitioners or attending physicians with extensive experience in burn care. A plan of care is established at the initial appointment, a time when families can also consult with other specialists as needed. Depending on the severity of their child's burn, families may need to return to the hospital for dressing changes or rehabilitation therapy follow-up. If families have questions, their care team is only a phone call away.

Shriners Children's Boston patients can receive burn care until the age of 21, meaning many stay connected to the hospital throughout their childhood. Reconstructive and laser surgery help manage the appearance of burn scars and optimize overall function as a child grows. "Scar management requires active intervention by highly trained people," explained Dr. Sheridan. "The laser program has really taken off in Boston and is a nice adjunct to the aftercare we offer burn patients."

Educating the community about burn care is central to the Shriners Children's mission. Melissa and her colleagues provide educational seminars for local emergency departments, urgent care clinics and pediatrician's offices, and encourage other providers to contact the hospital with burn care questions. "When in doubt call us out," said Melissa. "We love what we do, and we are happy to help when the community has questions."

The high-quality, specialized burn care at Shriners Children's Boston is provided regardless of a family's ability to pay or insurance status, allowing parents to stay focused on what matters most: their child's recovery. For more information or to request an appointment, visit shrinersboston.org.