Wesley treats 28 patients for firework-related injuries

WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — Wesley Healthcare treated 28 patients at its four facilities between June 27 and July 4.

Andi Easterly with Wesley says between June 27 and July 3, Wesley’s main campus treated one person for a third-degree burn. On July 4, nine people were treated for various injuries, including Three with injuries to their eyes, four to their hands, and two with injuries to their legs. Five of the incidents happened in Wichita. All have been treated and released from the hospital.

Wesley Woodlawn Hospital and ER reported five firework-related injuries on July 4 only. The injuries include a first-degree burn to the eye from a firecracker; first-degree burn to the right elbow, both sides of their arms and chest from a possible mortar; first- and second-degree burns/blast/laceration to both sides of their hands from artillery shell; a first-degree burn to a right hand from firecracker; and a first-degree burn and laceration to the top of the head from large embers. Four of those patients were treated and released. One was transferred to Wesley Medical Center, where they underwent surgery.

Wesley West ER saw four fireworks-related injuries between June 27 and July 3 and four on the Fourth of July. The injuries included first- and second-degree burns and lacerations caused by a speedball, black cat and small mortar.

Wesley Derby ER reported two injuries prior to July 4 and four injuries on July 4. The first two injuries prior to July 4 included a burn to the hand from a “cake” firework that required transfer to the burn unit and a burn to the shin from a “ground report” firework. July 4 injuries include burns to the calf, burns to the arm and buttock from a mortar, injury to the shoulder from a mortar, and injury to the torso, face and arms from a mortar in a PVC pipe. All patients were treated and released.

Ascension Via Christi in Wichita reported they treated 41 people for fireworks injuries.

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