A newly renovated University of Iowa Health Care Burn Treatment Center is enhancing the Department of Surgery's ability to provide specialized care for patients across Iowa and the Midwest while advancing its missions of patient care, education and research.
The project expands the Burn Treatment Center from 17 to 21 beds, increasing capacity for one of the region's busiest and most comprehensive burn care programs. As Iowa's only American Burn Association-verified burn center for both adult and pediatric patients, the unit serves patients from throughout the state as well as neighboring states.
"This renovation reflects our commitment to providing world-class surgical care to patients across Iowa and the region," said Vikas Dudeja, MBBS, FACS, professor and chair of the Department of Surgery. "By expanding access, supporting innovation and creating additional opportunities for education and research, the Burn Treatment Center strengthens every aspect of our mission."
"We want to be able to increase our access," said Samuel W. Jones, MD, FACS, FABA, director of the Burn Treatment Unit. "The additional beds allow us to serve more citizens of Iowa and the surrounding states."
Expanding Access to Specialized Care
While burn injuries remain at the core of the center's mission, the unit's work extends well beyond traditional burn care.
The Burn Treatment Center cares for patients with complex soft tissue injuries, severe skin disorders and life-threatening infections, including necrotizing fasciitis and Fournier gangrene. Over the past year, patient volumes have continued to grow, creating a need for additional capacity.
Beyond increasing capacity, the renovation transformed the patient and family experience throughout the unit.
"The renovated space provides a beautiful healing space for our patients and families, The color palette, artwork and open spaces gave the unit the visual lift it needed."
The project also added four private patient rooms, a family conference area and an expanded visitor lounge, creating a more welcoming environment for patients and loved ones.
For Jones, the expansion directly supports a key priority for both the Department of Surgery and University of Iowa Health Care: improving access to specialized care.
"The additional capacity also gives us greater flexibility to care for patients when demand is high and helps ensure timely access to specialized burn care," Jones said.
Schneider said the additional beds will improve patient flow and help the team meet growing demand for specialized care. "We are a busy unit, and having more beds will help in day-to-day operations and patient throughput to accommodate our patients' needs," Schneider said.
A Unique Role Within the Hospital
The Burn Treatment Center also serves as a critical resource throughout University of Iowa Health Care.
Although it functions as an intensive care unit, the center offers a level of flexibility that is uncommon among hospital ICUs. Any bed in the unit can be used for intensive care, intermediate care or step-down care depending on patient needs.
That flexibility allows the Burn Treatment Center to support other services across the hospital, including trauma surgery, surgical critical care and medical intensive care.
"When it comes to the hospital, the burn center is an ICU, but it is uniquely different from any intensive care unit," Jones said.
The unit's nurses are cross-trained in both burn and critical care for pediatric patients and adults, enabling the team to care for a diverse patient population and help manage capacity across the health system. "The best ability is availability," Jones said.
Supporting Collaborative Surgical Care
The Burn Treatment Center's enhanced facilities also strengthen its ability to work alongside other surgical specialties.
Burn surgeons collaborate closely with trauma surgeons, plastic and reconstructive surgeons, and other specialists to provide comprehensive care for patients with complex injuries and wounds. "We do the full gamut here," Jones said.
From acute burn treatment and wound resurfacing to reconstruction and recovery, patients can receive coordinated care throughout their treatment journey. The Burn Treatment Center's partnership with plastic surgery is particularly important for patients requiring reconstructive procedures following severe burns or other soft tissue injuries.
Upgraded treatment spaces are designed to support this specialized, team-based approach to care.
"The new hydrotherapy rooms and renovated clinic space are state of the art," Schneider said. "The updated space has provided us with better spaces to take care of our patients."
This multidisciplinary model helps ensure patients receive the expertise they need while remaining close to home.
Creating Opportunities for Education and Research
The renovated facility also strengthens the Department of Surgery's educational and research missions.
Because the center cares for both adult and pediatric patients and manages a wide range of conditions, it provides valuable learning opportunities for medical students, residents and fellows.
"It provides a diverse education for residents, medical students and fellows," Jones said.
The center's growing clinical volume has also attracted research interest from organizations across the country seeking to evaluate new technologies and products used in burn care.
According to Jones, the combination of high patient volumes, clinical expertise and research activity continues to elevate the program's reputation while creating new opportunities to advance burn and wound care.
According to Schneider, the renovated environment has also had a positive impact on staff.
"I believe the renovations have provided staff with a greater sense of pride in the unit," Schneider said.
Among her favorite additions are the bright and open spaces throughout the facility, including the conference room, staff lounge, hydrotherapy areas and patient rooms overlooking Iowa City.
Building for the Future
For Jones, the newly renovated space represents more than an updated facility. It is an investment in the future of the program and the patients it serves. "This place has been doing outstanding work for a number of years," Jones said.
As the Burn Treatment Center welcomes visitors to see the renovated facility, Jones hopes they recognize the program's commitment to expanding access and delivering specialized care for patients across Iowa and the region.
Schneider hopes visitors notice something else as well.
"The welcoming vibe of the entire space, the relaxing color palette and the pride shown by our team," Schneider said. "There is something really cool about having something new that we contributed to."
With expanded capacity, modernized facilities and a continued commitment to patient care, education and research, the Burn Treatment Center is positioned to serve more patients while advancing the Department of Surgery's mission for years to come.