July 23, 2001
Press Conference Regarding Firefighter Jason Emhoff
Today, Monday, July 23, Jason Emhoff underwent his second surgery to skin graft the majority of his burns and evaluate his hands to see if further skin grafts are needed.
Dr. David Heimbach, director of Harborview’s Burn Center and the surgeon and physician caring for Emhoff, will provide an update regarding his condition at a press conference scheduled for 11:30 a.m. today, July 23, in the Administrative Conference Room, 1 East Hospital room 115.
Steve Emhoff, Jason’s father, also will attend and answer questions.
Jason, 21, from Yakima, arrived via Airlift Northwest to Harborview Medical Center on the evening of Tuesday, July 10, 2001. He suffered about 30 percent burns over his body to his face, hands, ears, arms and legs. The deepest burns occurred over his hands.
After the press conference Dr. Heimbach will lead a media tour through the Acute Burn Center, 8EH. After the tour the media will have a chance to talk with Harold Lang, a burn patient, and his mother Shadina Rice of Spanaway. Lang, 11, and a friend were playing with gasoline and matches June 27 when he suffered 20 percent burns over his body to his abdomen and thighs.
Since its opening in 1974, the Burn Center at Harborview has treated more than 9,000 patients from the four-state region of Washington, Alaska, Montana and Idaho. The overall mortality rate at the Burn Center stands at four percent. The program’s effectiveness is due not only to advances in technology, but to its team approach including general surgeons, plastic surgeons, physical and occupational therapists, social workers, specialized nursing staff, psychologists, vocational rehab therapists, a dietitian, a pharmacist and special teams in the operating room.
