Burn Care Center

Burns have been a major problem for humans eversince the discovery of fire and its applications. Problems associated with burn injuries are wide-ranging, and the social and economic impacts of burns affect the whole society. So, the search for solutions to prevent and treat this severe and often fatal injury is never- ending. As a modern approach, burn victims recieve care from a variety of specially trained health care professionals who work together in multidisciplinary teams at burn centers. In addition to patient care, scientific research and preventive measures are supposed to be held at these specialized centers.

Başkent have been among the innovators of modern burn care in Turkey, since founded: ‘Başkent University Burn and Fire Disaster Institute’ was established by Dr Mehmet Haberal in 2000 within the structure of BAŞKENT. Currently, there are 3 burn centers affiliated with the institute. These burn centers are located in 2 different regions of Turkey: Adana in the south (burn unit established in 1997), and Konya (unit established in 2003), and Ankara in the more central zone (unit established in 2003). Specially trained staffs including general surgeons, pediatric surgeons, plastic and reconstructive surgeons, anesthetists, nutritionists, physiotherapists, psychiatrists and social workers, nurses and health care workers are employed in these modernly designed centers: professional knowledge of the staff is updated every year and the physical conditions are renovated if needed. The burn centers are in close communication with each other for a qualified patient care, telemedicine is one of the communication methods in use. In addition to the burn patient treatment, ‘Baskent University Burn and Fire Disasters Insitude’ carries out clinical and experimental research projects, organizes scientific meetings that reach to a large number of burn care professionals in Turkey as well as the Middle-east and Mediterranean Coast including North Africa. The Institute provides cooperation with other burn care institutions in the country and is in communication with the ‘Ministry of Health’. For widespread ‘first aid knowledge’ among the public, the university has founded a ‘First Aid Training Institute’ that conducts public education programs in first aid, including first aid for burns.

These facilities at BAŞKENT are based on a multidisciplinary approach. This kind of approach is the core of excellent burn care. Experienced staff who are dedicated to total rehabilitation of the burn patient is mandatory. As burn prevention, first aid, burn care at the burn centers and rehabilitation of burn patient after discharge are the main components of a qualified burn care, synchronized work for these components is the main target of BAŞKENT for burn care.