Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Center

Our team at Connecticut Children’s provides specialized knowledge in thermal injuries. We routinely care for children with burn injuries. As a free-standing Children’s hospital in Hartford, Connecticut, we are focused exclusively on providing family centered care in a child friendly environment.

We routinely treat pediatric burn injuries up to 25% total body surface area including injuries involving the face, hands, genitalia, and extremities.

The majority of pediatric burn injuries that occur in southern New England are scald burns from hot liquids, and these are typically partial thickness injuries that heal completely with topical burn wound care, pain control, and appropriate parental support. A small percentage of the children we see have deeper burns that require skin grafting.

Pediatric Burn Care Services Available:

• Same day appointments for outpatient burn evaluation
  • Call (860) 545-9520 for outpatient visit (Monday – Friday)
• Sedation Services available in our outpatient burn clinic
• Multidisciplinary Burn Care Team
  • 7 Pediatric Surgeons
  • 2 Pediatric Plastic Surgeons
  • 3 Pediatric Ophthalmologists

In addition, the Child Protection Team from our Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect program is a 24/7 resource for our medical and support staff who suspect child abuse or neglect in pediatric patients receiving care. The Child Protection Team is a resource for Connecticut Children’s medical and support staff members who suspect abuse or neglect in pediatric patients receiving care.

With a helipad on its rooftop, Hartford Hospital’s 24/7 LIFE STAR helicopter transport service brings neonatal and pediatric patients to Connecticut Children’s for immediate access to comprehensive pediatric trauma services.

Our highly experienced multi-disciplinary trauma team offers hands-on training for care providers at all levels through collaboration with clinical team members from different areas. Our simulation program allows our faculty to teach in environments that feel as real as possible with the goal of improving patient care and the continuing development of high reliability teams. We give our participants the tools and experience to truly understand the many scenarios within pediatric trauma, our trauma systems, and critical care.

The Simulation Program, led by Medical Director Carla Pruden, MD, supports approximately 240 participants over the calendar year through our monthly multidisciplinary trauma simulation series. Overarching objectives for participants include the ability to:

• Identify historical and physical indications for trauma activation.
• Demonstrate adherence to Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) guidelines through a systematic evaluation that focuses on the early identification of life-threatening injuries.
• Utilize the appropriate crisis resource management and communication techniques of high-performance teams.

Simulation participants commonly express their appreciation for opportunities where they can practice skills and critical decision-making before a true emergency occurs.