[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 19 (Thursday, February 28, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E233]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           WELCOMING MEMBERS OF THE AMERICAN BURN ASSOCIATION

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. J.C. WATTS, JR.

                              of oklahoma

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 28, 2002

  Mr. WATTS of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this 
opportunity to welcome to Washington the members of the American Burn 
Association (``ABA''). The ABA and its over 3,500 members devote their 
time and resources to promoting and supporting burn-related research, 
education, care, rehabilitation and prevention. The membership consists 
of physicians, nurses, occupational and physical therapists, 
researchers, social workers, firefighters and hospital burn centers.
  Many of you may be surprised to learn that there are over one million 
burn injuries in the United States each year and over 4,500 burn 
deaths. There are over 700,000 emergency room visits each year for 
burn-related injuries and over 45,000 hospitalizations. Because burn 
care is so complex and highly specialized, over half of all 
hospitalizations are to the nation's 139 specialized burn centers.
  Burn injuries are among the most painful and horrific injuries that 
one can suffer. Even in ordinary times, we would owe a debt of 
gratitude to these dedicated and highly trained professionals and their 
institutions for treating and saving thousands of burn victims each 
year. September 11th brought about an even more profound appreciation 
of the work done by these burn professionals.
  Immediately after the two planes plunged into the World Trade Center 
and a third plane crashed into the Pentagon, burn center hospitals and 
medical personnel responded. According to the CDC, about one third of 
all patients hospitalized in New York after September 11th were burn 
victims. These victims suffered from 35-75 percent total body burns. 
Many were in critical condition, some dying, others facing a long road 
to recovery with several reconstructive surgeries required to repair 
the damage. Similarly, in Washington Hospital Center.
  As bad as this situation was, the medical community prepared for even 
greater horror. The ABA immediately alerted the 139 U.S. burn centers 
and began an assessment of the maximum burn bed availability for 
possible victims. By early afternoon on September 11th, the ABA had 
identified 1,500 available burn beds for potential victims and 
communicated specific information regarding this situation to relevant 
federal agencies.
  The ABA also reached out to the Office of Emergency Preparedness, 
which manages the National Disaster Medical System (``NDMS''). NDMS is 
a partnership between FEMA, HHS and other federal agencies and private 
organizations that can provide emergency medical and support care 
during a disaster. Burn doctors formed Burn Specialty Teams under NDMS' 
auspices to ensure that all victims received the best care possible.
  One story that deserves particular mention relates to the ABA's role 
regarding providing allograft that is critically important in burn 
treatment. There was simply not enough allograft available in 
Washington after the Pentagon attack. The Washington Hospital Center 
contacted a Dallas skin bank, which had 70 square feet of skin 
available to send to Washington. The problem was that all air 
transportation had been grounded. Despite these obstacles, the skin was 
packed in a truck and two young men drove from Dallas to Washington, 
arriving late afternoon on September 12th. Lives were saved as a result 
of this heroic effort.
  We know from incidents dating back to Oklahoma City up to the World 
Trade Center and the Pentagon that disasters can strike at any time. If 
we are to respond to such disasters, we must strengthen the nation's 
National Disaster Medical System, including fully integrating the 
nation's burn centers into any disaster preparedness plans. Burn care 
is unique and requires a cadre of multi-disciplinary professionals to 
ensure a favorable outcome from these horrific injuries.
  Mr. Speaker, we thank the dedicated medical professionals of the 
American Burn Association for what they do every day and, most 
especially what they did to treat the victims of September 11th.

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