Trauma and Burn Care FAQs

A trauma emergency refers to a physical injury that requires immediate medical attention. Traumatic emergencies occur during potentially life-changing events, such as car accidents, natural disasters and unexpected falls, for example. 

Provided your burn isn’t severe, wounds can be treated effectively using home therapies. Rinse your burn with cool water and clean thoroughly with soap. After drying your wound and the surrounding area, apply a simple antibiotic ointment and non-stick bandage to the damaged skin. 

There are 4 different levels of a trauma unit. In general, a level 1 trauma unit is able to provide comprehensive trauma care to all its patients, while a level 4 trauma unit can only provide limited care, and may refer patients to another facility for complete care.

How you care for a burn wound depends on the severity of the wound itself. Once first aid has been applied, certain treatments may be used to improve the condition of your wound. Treatments can include medications, dressings, surgery or therapy. 

Trauma surgeons are specifically trained to operate on patients who’ve sustained life-threatening injuries. They’re responsible for treating broken or fractured bones, internal injuries, burn wounds and other traumatic conditions. 

A trauma care unit is an area of a hospital that’s equipped to deal with patients suffering from life-threatening injuries. It’s staffed with highly trained physicians and surgeons who have experience performing critical procedures.   

A trauma patient is anyone who has experienced a life-threatening injury as a result of a catastrophic event, such as a car accident, natural disaster and unexpected fall.