LSUHSC Burn Center sees 200 patients a year
By: Kimberly Rusley
Updated: October 24, 2012
The LSU Health Regional Burn Center is at the only burn facility in north and central Louisiana. That's where 20-year-old Sharmeka Moffitt is receiving treatment.
Moffitt called police on
the night of Sunday, October 21, saying a group of men attacked her and set her
on fire. Investigators have concluded that Moffitt set herself on fire.
On average, the center has
200 patients a year that stay in the facility. Some patients come in with minor
burns, others with more severe burns.
"We see patients from car
accidents, explosions, gas, sunburn, sever sunburns even sometimes in the
outpatient side really a variety of injuries can bring you to need a burn
facility," says Meg Willet, Public Relations Coordinator with LSUHSC.
They receive not only the
physical care that they need, but doctors make sure patients get emotional
support as well.
"Often times, they put patients,
recent burn patients, in a room with someone who maybe went through the same thing
a few weeks or months ago. It's one thing if a doctor tells you what to expect
to get through it, and the difficulties. You know, you hear that from your
doctor, but also first-hand talking to someone who's been through the same
thing has been very beneficial for people," says Willet.
The average stay of a
patient is 11 days.
