Where Your Dollars Go

With province-wide donations from fire fighter locals, corporate sponsors and the public, the BC Professional Fire Fighters' Burn & Plastic Surgery Unit at VGH continues to seek funding for essential burn survivor and plastic surgery patient support programs, staff training and statistical and research programs.

Medical Support Upgrading and Education

Every year the BC Professional Fire Fighter's Burn & Plastic Surgery Unit sends nurses, medical residents, occupational therapists and physical therapists from Vancouver General Hospital, Royal Jubilee Hospital in Victoria, and BC Children's Hospital Burn Units to the American Burn Association annual meeting, and sends nurses to the Canadian Burn Association annual meeting.

WoundtoWellness.com

The WoundtoWellness web site offers an on-line source of information for burn and plastic surgery patients and their families, and healthcare professionals. The goal of the web site is to educate, and inform the public about burn and plastic surgery issues that affect their health and well-being.

Medical equipment and Fixtures

Below is a "wish list" of Adult Burn Program medical equipment and fixtures and their approximate costs. Your donation helps us purchase these important items. An asterisk beside the name indicates an item that we are in desperate need of. Below this list is a description of each item.

Vacuum Assisted Closure machine: This suction machine is attached to a sponge in the wound that siphons off fluid (thereby decreasing bacterial load) and assists in development of granulation tissue (healing). Use of this machine often prevents the necessity for large operations (grafting, flaps).

Plinth Stretcher: Situated in the Outpatient Burn Follow-Up Clinic, this stretcher bed is for burn survivors who are unable to access fixed tables. With only one Plinth Stretcher currently on hand, when more than one patient requires access to the bed, one patient experiences long, uncomfortable wait times. In addition, orthopedic chairs in the waiting room are a much needed item for burn survivor patients, as they have difficulty getting on and off of regular couches.

Videos: The Burn and Plastic Surgery Unit provides teaching materials to health professionals across the province. These materials are critical to the success of our programs. With a growing list of videos that we would like to produce, and decreasing resources, it is imperative that the Burn Team have up-to-date tools to assist them in daily procedures and save precious time. First on our wish list is a "Orientation to the Burn & Plastic Surgery Unit" video, which would enable us to show patients and families what they can expect upon arrival. This video would also serve as an education tool for other health care providers on admission criteria and what types of patients should be transferred to us.

Sewing machines: Occupational Therapists at the Burn & Plastic Surgery Unit provide burn survivors with machine-sewn pressure garments that soften and flatten scar tissue. These garments are worn 23 hours a day for up to 1-2 years and must be adjusted frequently, as the fibers loosen up through wear and tear and change in patient weight.

Hand Anatomy CD-ROM: This valuable tool allows us to teach both staff and patients (in unlimited numbers) about hand anatomy via a cost-effective and portable medium.

Total Care Beds: Currently, we have no beds in the Burn & Plastic Surgery Unit that move our patients from a lying to sitting position. These specialized beds would enable us to mobilize patients who otherwise require ongoing assistance from staff.

Waiting Room Furniture: Our current waiting room furniture for the clinics (Burns, Trauma, and Wound Programs) is very unsafe for variety of reasons including age, low-to-the-floor styling and slippable cushions. This means that patients with significant injuries are unable to seat themselves or get up safely.

Sound System: Studies have shown amazing benefits from music therapy, which provides patients with meditation and visualization tools for relaxation and healing. Our Patient Lounge and Healing Garden are areas where music could be used for individual and group therapy.

Bear Hugger: This heated blanket attaches to a machine that keeps it heated at a set temperature and is used for various post-operative patients who are experiencing heat loss. It is also used for burn patients who are unable to control their own temperature due to skin loss. These blankets are disposable, as they are used for one person during the length of their stay.

Click here if you would like to make a donation to the BC Professional Fire Fighters' Burn & Plastic Surgery Unit

Donations to the hospital qualify for a charitable tax receipt. For more information about tax receipts, please contact the VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation at 604- 875-4676 or visit www.supportvgh.ca.