HHS to create new burn research centre, restore critical burn unit

Hamilton Health Sciences (HHS) is establishing a new burn research centre at one of its locations. It’s also adding staff and more equipment to the unit where critical burns are treated.

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The existing burn unit is located at Hamilton General Hospital. Before, they were treating patients with burns that cover about 25 per cent of their body and now they can support patients with burns that cover up to 40 per cent of their body.

There are only two provincially mandated hospital-based burn units in Ontario. One is at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto and the other one is at Hamilton Health Sciences. For the past two years patients who would typically be treated here had to be transferred to Sunnybrook.

Thanks to investments from Hamilton Health Sciences, McMaster and the province, they’ve expanded the burn unit by hiring more physicians, as well as adding extra beds and specialized equipment. Now they can treat patients with more serious burns.

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Hamilton General Hospital is the lead trauma centre for a population of almost 3 million people.

HHS will also be establishing a new burn research centre. The team will focus on things such as responses to burns, how to make sure patients don’t lose muscle mass as well as specific treatments based on the age of the patient.

HHS says the team is working towards being able to care for patients with full-body burns by this fall.

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