sweetpeasmom
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,613 
|
Post by sweetpeasmom on Sept 30, 2022 14:43:44 GMT
DS (age 20) was in a motorcycle wreck almost 3 weeks ago. He is fine now, thankfully!! He was not injured more than the road rash by the grace of God. But we learned something that I wanted to pass on, if you were not aware.
Road rash is considered a friction burn. Therefore it needs to be treated as such with a burn center or unit that is capable of treating burns. These are not treated the same as some wounds. We spent 5.5 hours in the ER for this. In the end, they weren't able to clean his wounds because of the intense pain (the handling of his pain and the entire experience in the ER is another story). As we were leaving, our discharge orders were to follow-up with dermatology or the burn center in Augusta (2.5 hrs away). So even though they did say burn center, it wasn't emphasized. So I started with dermatology, as that was closer. This happened on Sunday 9/11. We got home around 11pm. So I called first thing Mon morning to the dermatologist my DD has been seeing. Was told nothing available for a week. I emphasized he was to be seen (per orders) w/in a day. So that was a no go. I called the one the ER referred us to. She put me on hold and came back after speaking with a nurse. She said that was not their area and to call wound care. Again, at this point the burn aspect of it was not emphasized to us. So I called a wound care dr close by and got him in the next day, Tuesday.
At this point, I had change his dressings once on Monday. And he was still in extreme pain from the wounds. He was starting to be sore and some bruising but it's not his main source of discomfort or pain. We get to the wound dr and they start to take his dressings off. It was horrific!! I wanted to cry. The dr took one look and told us we should not be there that this was sever burn and should be treated at the burn center. I asked for some help and guidance as we have been not given any up to this point. Turns out, the same burn center in Augusta has a center closer to us (1.5 hrs). So we showed up there first thing that Wed morning, 9/14.
As soon as they started on him and taking his dressings off, we were told he would need surgery to clean it all up. It was so intense, that it could not be done without sedation. Some was considered 2nd degree but some were 3rd degree. It was absolutely heartbreaking watching them take the dressings off. The nurses were being as gentle and patient as they could. He was just in so much pain and at this point his mental state was not good either. They admitted him and we thought the surgery would be the next day but it ended up not being until late Friday afternoon. He was not happy being there but they did take terrific care of him. I was able to stay with him the entire time.
They used placenta stem cells on his road rash. He had a puncture wound on his lower right leg that had to be packed. He was released on Sat afternoon (so 4 days, 3 nights in the hospital). We followed back up with the burn center on the Wednesday after he was released. The improvement was insane!! Most of his bandages were able to come off or at least be changed daily at that point. One had to stay on without being changed and his leg had to be repacked daily. Then we followed up this past Wednesday and all bandages are off. He has to use a special ointment on his leg still and it has to stay covered.
A lot of his pain and issues could have been avoided if the ER had directed us properly. It's possible if he had consented to medical treatment at the scene, the EMS might have known to take him to the hospital with the burn center. But either way, my hope is that ER medical staff gets more training in road rash care and can better direct patients and their family.
Just wanted to post this so that I could help anyone if they ever experience an injury like this, not necessarily from a motorcycle crash but road rash or friction burn in general.
|
|
|
|
Post by revirdsuba99 on Sept 30, 2022 15:16:42 GMT
Thank you for your PSA.
My DS used to ride. Never went down to my knowledge.
**
This is the reason that riders should wear leather, helmet to toes.
BTW: way back then, my DS did not!
|
|
sweetpeasmom
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,613
|
Post by sweetpeasmom on Sept 30, 2022 15:32:14 GMT
Thank you for your PSA. My DS used to ride. Never went down to my knowledge. ** This is the reason that riders should wear leather, helmet to toes. BTW: way back then, my DS did not! He normally wears a jacket w/pads and his helmet. But he was only planning to go to Zaxbys and back home. 10 mins away. His buddy called and he just went on and didn't come home to change. He regrets it now and in the future won't make that mistake. Although, he is not sure he'll get another street bike again anytime soon. Part of me is relieved and part is sad that he has had this experience and is unsure of riding again.
My husband still rides but is trading his sport touring bike for a Harley. Something a little slower.
|
|
|
|
Post by malibou on Sept 30, 2022 15:42:53 GMT
Ouch, your poor son. Road rash is miserable.
Recently one of Dh mountain biking buddies got tapped by a car on his road ride home from the trails. Another motorist stopped to help him, and worked at a burn clinic. She told him to go into the burn clinic. He was shocked at how awesome the care was as they assured him that indeed it should be where one goes with road rash as they are well versed in how to clean a wound, and take off bandages. They said that most road rash injuries are prolonged by improper bandage removal.
|
|
sweetpeasmom
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,613
|
Post by sweetpeasmom on Sept 30, 2022 16:13:40 GMT
Ouch, your poor son. Road rash is miserable. Recently one of Dh mountain biking buddies got tapped by a car on his road ride home from the trails. Another motorist stopped to help him, and worked at a burn clinic. She told him to go into the burn clinic. He was shocked at how awesome the care was as they assured him that indeed it should be where one goes with road rash as they are well versed in how to clean a wound, and take off bandages. They said that most road rash injuries are prolonged by improper bandage removal. So lucky she stopped! I'm glad he got the care needed. |
|
|
|
Post by lucyg on Sept 30, 2022 16:21:57 GMT
How awful. That poor guy. Wishing him a complete recovery, and thanks for the heads up.
|
|
gramma
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,919
Location: Sacramento, Ca
|
Post by gramma on Sept 30, 2022 16:47:35 GMT
That is a sad, sad commentary of the state of the medical system today. One of the folks we serve at work was turned away from the ER. He died from a heart attack a few hours later. I could go on but it would make me cry. I'm glad he is on the mend.
|
|
sweetpeasmom
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,613
|
Post by sweetpeasmom on Sept 30, 2022 17:01:46 GMT
That is a sad, sad commentary of the state of the medical system today. One of the folks we serve at work was turned away from the ER. He died from a heart attack a few hours later. I could go on but it would make me cry. I'm glad he is on the mend. Oh, yes our medical system is really messed up. I'm sorry to hear about your friend.
The fact that he sat in the ER in covered in his own blood for 5.5hrs with visible injuries was just part of it. While the ER was packed, by glancing, he had some of the more serious injuries. I'm not discounting anyone else's issues. We never were put in a room. We were left in the waiting room for the most part, aside from triage and getting scans done. Then when they came to get him to attempt to clean him up. They wouldn't even give him a blanket. He was shivering from having the wet blood on him, as well as I'm sure some shock from the accident. They said it was a safety issue, unless we were back in a bed and there were none available. |
|
gramma
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,919
Location: Sacramento, Ca
|
Post by gramma on Sept 30, 2022 17:04:46 GMT
That is a sad, sad commentary of the state of the medical system today. One of the folks we serve at work was turned away from the ER. He died from a heart attack a few hours later. I could go on but it would make me cry. I'm glad he is on the mend. Oh, yes our medical system is really messed up. I'm sorry to hear about your friend.
The fact that he sat in the ER in covered in his own blood for 5.5hrs with visible injuries was just part of it. While the ER was packed, by glancing, he had some of the more serious injuries. I'm not discounting anyone else's issues. We never were put in a room. We were left in the waiting room for the most part, aside from triage and getting scans done. Then when they came to get him to attempt to clean him up. They wouldn't even give him a blanket. He was shivering from having the wet blood on him, as well as I'm sure some shock from the accident. They said it was a safety issue, unless we were back in a bed and there were none available. Well that attitude would make me want to go back there and update them on his treatment. Jerks! |
|
sweetpeasmom
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,613
|
Post by sweetpeasmom on Sept 30, 2022 17:17:53 GMT
Oh, yes our medical system is really messed up. I'm sorry to hear about your friend.
The fact that he sat in the ER in covered in his own blood for 5.5hrs with visible injuries was just part of it. While the ER was packed, by glancing, he had some of the more serious injuries. I'm not discounting anyone else's issues. We never were put in a room. We were left in the waiting room for the most part, aside from triage and getting scans done. Then when they came to get him to attempt to clean him up. They wouldn't even give him a blanket. He was shivering from having the wet blood on him, as well as I'm sure some shock from the accident. They said it was a safety issue, unless we were back in a bed and there were none available. Well that attitude would make me want to go back there and update them on his treatment. Jerks! I plan on writing a letter for sure. He has also left a pretty scathing review when they sent him an email asking him for a survey. |
|
|
|
Post by AussieMeg on Oct 1, 2022 0:16:14 GMT
This is the reason that riders should wear leather, helmet to toes. BTW: way back then, my DS did not! He normally wears a jacket w/pads and his helmet. But he was only planning to go to Zaxbys and back home. 10 mins away. His buddy called and he just went on and didn't come home to change. He regrets it now and in the future won't make that mistake. That was a painful lesson to learn.  When I used to ride, I always wore my big heavy jacket, even in 40C heat. But I usually only wore jeans, because I didn't have proper pants. I realise now how silly that was. The TAC (Transport Accident Commission) is currently running a TV commercial showing just this very thing - the damage that you can do to your body if you're not wearing the correct protective gear. It's a bit gruesome, so don't watch it if you'll be triggered. I hope your son recovers quickly sweetpeasmom. And thank you for the PSA. |
|
|
|
Post by bc2ca on Oct 1, 2022 0:38:56 GMT
I can't imagine how painful this was for your son.  Thinking about losing a few layers of skin, it does make sense that the same protocol as burn treatment would be used to treat the areas, but it makes no sense that it wasn't emphasized to you/him. And medically induced comas are used for 3rd degree burn pain management. Thank you for this PSA. I hope your DS continues to heal. |
|
|
|
Post by brynn on Oct 1, 2022 3:18:51 GMT
That is a sad, sad commentary of the state of the medical system today. One of the folks we serve at work was turned away from the ER. He died from a heart attack a few hours later. I could go on but it would make me cry. I'm glad he is on the mend. Oh, yes our medical system is really messed up. I'm sorry to hear about your friend.
The fact that he sat in the ER in covered in his own blood for 5.5hrs with visible injuries was just part of it. While the ER was packed, by glancing, he had some of the more serious injuries. I'm not discounting anyone else's issues. We never were put in a room. We were left in the waiting room for the most part, aside from triage and getting scans done. Then when they came to get him to attempt to clean him up. They wouldn't even give him a blanket. He was shivering from having the wet blood on him, as well as I'm sure some shock from the accident. They said it was a safety issue, unless we were back in a bed and there were none available. I wish there was a "sad icon." I am wishing that your son recovers fully. |
|
|
|
Post by mikklynn on Oct 1, 2022 12:24:32 GMT
I certainly had no idea a burn center was the place to go! Thank you for informing us.
I'm so glad he is recovering.
|
|
|
|
Post by scrapmaven on Oct 1, 2022 20:18:28 GMT
I'm so sorry that you had to watch your poor son endure such pain. Though I'm glad he's OK and the worst is behind him.
|
|
kate
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,560
Location: The city that doesn't sleep
Site Supporter
Jun 26, 2014 3:30:05 GMT
|
Post by kate on Oct 1, 2022 22:42:52 GMT
I'm so sorry he had to go through all that. My mom used to work on a burn unit, and it was quite sobering. Thank you for sharing that PSA. I would not have known.
|
|
When I used to ride, I always wore my big heavy jacket, even in 40C heat. But I usually only wore jeans, because I didn't have proper pants. I realise now how silly that was. 
