When George Katsoulis stopped by the Burn Unit at Spaulding in May before attending a Celtics playoff game, RN Grace Espinal did not recognize him. She should have- this was a man she took care of for two months- but he looked completely different. "He looked 30 years younger", Grace said. He was 30 pounds heavier and his hair had grown back. It took over three months of specialized care in the burn unit at MGH, two months of intensive rehabilitation at SRH, then continued care at home for George to come so far.
On March 27, 2008, 49 year-old George Katsoulis sustained an 85% total body surface area burn after an automobile explosion at his auto body shop in Longmeadow. Like many burn patients, he had a long and complex acute hospital course, and was transferred to Spaulding three months later to the Burn Rehabilitation Program. Dr. Jeffrey Schneider, Director of the Burn Program and George's primary care physician at SRH, worked closely with the Burn Unit at MGH to ensure a smooth transition. He collaborated with the referring physician on an ongoing basis and arranged for follow-up visits to the MGH Burn Clinic. The main goals for George at Spaulding were to heal his wounds and optimize his level of function.
During his stay at SRH, his primary nurse Grace spent 2-3 hours per day with George, doing twice-daily dressing changes, helping him shower daily, and caring for his NG tube, trach, foley catheter and a PIC line. Physical therapist Jamie Locke started working on his strength and range of motion while he was in bed, since the severity of his wounds and his pain limited his ability to transfer into a chair. Dr. Schneider worked to control George's pain so that he could participate more in therapies. Occupational therapist Marissa Zona began to introduce functional activities, such as feeding and grooming, at each stage of wound healing. SLP Erin Shanley worked with George to minimize his dysphagia and treat his cognitive deficits. Psychiatry and psychology helped George manage the emotional aspects of his injury and to understand the adjustment process for new disabilities.
The most motivating thing for George though was his 10-year old daughter. His room was filled with photographs of her and he looked forward to her weekend visits. His primary goal was to return home to her and his extended family and friends.
George's condition slowly improved and he was able to increase his participation in therapies to 3-4 hours per day. By the time of discharge two months later, his wounds were almost healed and only required one dressing change per day. His NG tube, trach, foley catheter and PIC line had all been removed. He was independent with bed mobility and transfers, was ambulating 300-feet with a rolling walker and leg brace, and was also able to ascend/descend 4 stairs with some assistance. He was able to eat independently (a regular diet) and perform ADLs using equipment that was specially modified for burn patients.
George acknowledges his team at Spaulding for his inspirational recovery, "The team at Spaulding was amazing; they never gave up on me, even when I gave up on myself. I'm so thankful that I am back home again and back to doing the things I love. I might not move as fast as I used to, but I'll get there".
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