Baton Rouge General Cements Status as Louisiana’s Only Verified Burn Center

BRG’s Regional Burn Center Earns Re-Verification

BATON ROUGE, La. – Today Baton Rouge General (BRG) announced that its Regional Burn Center has earned re-verification from the American Burn Association and American College of Surgeons, retaining its designation as Louisiana’s only verified burn center, and the only verified center between Florida and Texas. Verification is a rigorous process that only 68 burn centers across the nation have achieved and demonstrates that BRG provides the highest quality care of burns from time of injury through rehabilitation.

“Our frontline staff shows such dedication in providing not only the highest quality care but the compassion to make patients and their families feel secure,” said Dr. Tracee Short, Medical Director of BRG’s Regional Burn Center. “We are proud of the team effort to remain the only verified burn center in the region.”

In 1970, BRG opened the center as only the 14th burn center in the country. Since then BRG has treated pediatric and adult burn patients, treating nearly 90 percent of all burns in the Baton Rouge region each year. From almost 200 zip codes between Gainesville, Fla., through New Orleans and to Dallas, Texas, BRG treats all aspects of burn injuries including flame, scald, electrical, chemical, and hot substances. The Burn Center’s 42-member multidisciplinary team has 400 years of combined experience, and includes burn surgeons, specialty nurses, dietitians, respiratory therapists, rehabilitation therapists, psychiatrists, ophthalmologists, ENTs and social workers.

According to a recent economic impact study, BRG’s Regional Burn Center contributes more than $15 million each year to Louisiana’s economy and $6.7 million to East Baton Rouge parish.

If a patient or provider is not sure if a burn needs to be seen by a specialist, they can send a photo of the injury to BRG’s Regional Burn Center for an evaluation. As a leader in burn care, BRG often receives inquiries about whether a patient is appropriate for transfer or if proper care measures are being followed. To better facilitate the discussion, BRG implemented this burn referral process.

Learn more about the BRG Regional Burn Center’s resources and team of experts by visiting BRGeneral.org/Burn.

About Baton Rouge General Medical Center

Baton Rouge General Medical Center is the area’s first community hospital with 588 licensed beds between two campuses. Baton Rouge General opened its doors in 1900, and has provided the Greater Baton Rouge community with high-quality healthcare for generations. An accredited teaching hospital since 1991, Baton Rouge General serves as an affiliate of Tulane University School of Medicine, and offers other medical education programs, including a School of Nursing, School of Radiologic Technology, Family Medicine Residency Program, Internal Medicine Residency Program, and Sports Medicine Fellowship Program. For more information, visit BRGeneral.org, find us on Facebook at Facebook.com/BatonRougeGeneral and follow us on Twitter at @BRGeneral.

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