KANSAS CITY, Kan.—The University of Kansas Hospital’s Burnett Burn Center, together with Olathe and Liberty hospital campuses, report the following number of cumulative fireworks-related injures as of 3 p.m. Thursday, July 3: 

Total number of patients: 3 people injured … more details on nature of injuries available tomorrow.

At this time, no patients or family members are available for media interviews. This will be the only update we will provide today. We will provide updates through Monday with a final report Tuesday morning.

The Burnett Burn Center at The University of Kansas Health System opened its Fast Track process for fireworks injuries this morning at 7 a.m. Fast Track allows patients with a fireworks injury to have Burn Center staff immediately respond to the Emergency Department to provide more timely evaluation, wound care and discharge with scheduled follow-up if they do not require admission. While emergency doctors are prepared to accept and treat any fireworks injury at any time, the Fast Track hours are scheduled around the holiday to expedite treatment when the volume of these injuries are at the highest.  The hours of operation will continue today through Monday, July 7 at 7 p.m.

Last year, the hospital treated 49 patients for fireworks injuries. Thirty-six were men. The most common injuries were to the face, hands and legs from mortars, roman candles and sparklers. The number and types of injuries included The University of Kansas Health System Olathe campus, Liberty campus, Miami County Medical Center, and the health system’s Burnett Burn Center.

             The Burnett Burn Center is the only nationally verified burn center for treatment of both adult and child burns in the region.