New clinic’s advanced technology and same-day procedures will improve patient care
L-R: Tina Jones, C.M., O.M, Chair, HSC Foundation; Dr. Ed Buchel, Surgery Site Director, HSC Winnipeg; Kristin Coulthard, Former Plastic Surgery Clinic Patient; Jonathon Lyon, President and Chief Executive Officer, HSC Foundation.
WINNIPEG, MB—June 22, 2023. Today, the Health Sciences Centre Foundation (HSC Foundation) unveiled HSC Winnipeg’s redeveloped plastic surgery clinic. The clinic includes an advanced plastic surgery procedure room that has the same equipment and design standards as a general operating room, making this room the first of its kind in Canada. This clinic, which began operating in November 2022, reduces wait times by treating patients who previously could only be treated in a general operating room, and helps people requiring hand surgery, non-cosmetic plastic surgery, and other related specialized treatments. This project was made possible by over $1.8 million from HSC Foundation donors.
“The advanced plastic surgery procedure room requires fewer staff than a conventional operating room. Thanks to this room, 85% of the plastic surgery trauma patients who would have previously required one of the hospital’s main operating rooms can now be treated in the clinic, and patients can often go home the same day,” said HSC Foundation President and CEO Jonathon Lyon. “With time, space, and equipment for new procedures, the clinic has had an immediate impact on patient care and outcomes.”
“We know projects like this that focus on acquiring advanced technology reduce wait times and deliver improved health care for Manitobans,” said HSC Foundation Board Chair Tina Jones, C.M., O.M. “Thanks to donors, we are implementing innovations at HSC that will benefit over 20,000 patients who will receive care annually in this redeveloped clinic.”
Guests and donors of the HSC Foundation toured the newly redeveloped space on June 22, 2023.
By moving plastic surgery patients who don’t require general anesthetic from the operating room into the plastic surgery clinic, patient wait times are reduced from weeks to the same day as assessment. This helps patients get the care they need—when they need it. The redeveloped clinic with 10 procedure rooms—compared to the two rooms prior to redevelopment—improves outcomes for patients with traumatic injuries, burns, and cancers that require reconstructive surgery. By moving certain cases from the general operating room to the redeveloped clinic, time, resources, and space are freed up in HSC’s operating rooms.
The advanced plastic surgery procedure room is equipped with an advanced Fluoroscan InSight system which produces high-quality, real-time images for doctors with minimum radiation exposure for patients.
“At HSC, we care for the sickest and most critically injured people across Manitoba. Among these people are burn and trauma patients who will now receive quicker access to world-class care,” said HSC Chief Operating Officer Dr. Shawn Young. “This space will change many lives, and it is thanks to generous and visionary donors to the HSC Foundation.”
The advanced plastic surgery procedure room is equipped with an advanced Fluoroscan InSight system which produces high-quality, real-time images for doctors with minimum radiation exposure for patients. It is estimated that this room alone will free up 49 operative days per year in HSC’s general operating rooms.
About the Health Sciences Centre Foundation:
The Health Sciences Centre Foundation rallies individual, corporate, and institutional donors in support of HSC Winnipeg—Manitoba’s hospital. By inspiring Manitobans to donate, the HSC Foundation enhances patient care and accelerates innovation at HSC through the acquisition of state-of-the-art technology, the development of new clinical spaces, and the promotion of groundbreaking research. Through specific, timely, and essential investments, the HSC Foundation helps to deliver tomorrow’s health care, today.
