The Regional Burn Program at Hamilton Health Sciences provides specialty burn care for patients in the South Central and Central West areas of Ontario. We specialize in the diagnosis, treatment, and care of people with acute burn injuries.
We are the regional burn program for our region and one of two burn centres in Ontario.
What to Bring
Please bring these items with you to the Burn Unit:
- Personal care items such as hairbrush, toothbrush, comb, toothpaste
- Slippers with a non-slip sole or comfortable running shoes
- Photos and cards can be brought in to comfort the patient, but please arrange these items so they do not crowd patient areas or increase a patient’s risk of falling
Visiting the Burn Unit
Patients and their family members decide who can visit them in the Burn Unit. We ask that only two visitors visit at a time. If more than two visitors are needed at one time, please speak with a member of your healthcare team.
The Burn Unit can be a frightening experience for a child, and so we ask that all children are accompanied by an adult during their visit. Please talk with a member of your healthcare team so that we can help you plan your visit.
To prevent the spread of infection to our patients, fresh or potted flowers are not permitted in the Burn Program.
All visitors to the Burn Unit will have to wear a mask, yellow gown and gloves prior to entering the patient’s room. The staff can assist you with this when you enter the unit.
Family Spokesperson
We ask that each patient have one member of their family or support group act as a spokesperson. Your designated spokesperson will be the only person allowed to receive information about your condition. They can then pass this information on to others you wish to share it with.
Our Team
The Burn Unit is team includes a variety of providers who collaborate to provide the best care. Some of the team members you may meet are:
- Burn surgeon
- Nurse
- Dietitian
- Physiotherapist
- Occupational therapist
- Respiratory therapist
- Social worker
- Residents and other learners
Major vs Minor Burns
At Hamilton Health Sciences, our burn care specialists are highly trained to care for patients during the three phases of burn recovery: burn resuscitation, wound care, and surgery for initial management and rehabilitation and burn scar reconstruction.
Outpatient Burn Clinic Referral Process & Pressure Garments
A physician will initiate all outpatient burn clinic referrals. Once the referral is received, the patient will be contacted within 24-48hrs with an appointment date to be seen by the Nurse Practitioner in the outpatient Burn Clinic.
Pressure garments are a method used in the prevention and management of hypertrophic scarring. The Physiotherapist and Occupational Therapist will assess your scar and determine if pressure garments are indicated. They will also provide further education regarding pressure garments.
Scar Control - Laser and Injections
Following a burn injury and/or skin grafting, patients are at risk of hypertrophic scarring which is thick, red, raised scarring. Your burn team will provide education on how to prevent and manage hypertrophic scarring.
Laser therapy treatment is also available. Laser therapy is a non-invasive burn scar treatment, which breaks down scar tissue to reveal softer and smoother skin along with an increased range of motion. This helps restore the skin’s function, reduces pain, and improves the cosmetic appearance for injured patients.
Prevention & Education
The American Burn Association and Canadian Burn Association actively advocate for burn prevention by spreading information about the dangers that exist and ways to prevent burn injury. Annual meetings gather burn care professionals together to provide educational events for the multidisciplinary community.
Our connection with the Hamilton Professional Fire Fighters Association is long standing and they continue to support and donate generously to our unit.
Burn Research at HHS
Learn about our Centre for Burn Research.
