The Trauma Table as an Alternative to the Hubbard Tank in Burn Care

Abstract

Because of disadvantages associated with the use of the Hubbard tank in the management of burn patients, the burn team at the University of Alabama replaced the tank with a trauma table that had been manufactured to their specifications. The trauma table is capable of being hydraulically raised or lowered, and maneuvered into Trendelenburg's position or its reverse. Another feature of the table is side rails that can be lowered. In contrast to the Hubbard tank, the trauma table has the following associated advantages: (1) quicker treatment sessions; (2) less pain to the patient; (3) elimination of patient exposure to contaminated water; (4) more comfort for the therapist; and (5) greater ease in patient handling, for example, rolling the patient onto a stretcher or bringing the patient into a sitting position.