About this Burnaby Hospital patient information guide

Purpose and scope for Burnaby BC healthcare navigation

This website is a comprehensive informational guide designed to help patients, families, and visitors navigate healthcare services at Burnaby Hospital and understand the broader context of patient care in Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada. Our purpose is to provide clear, accessible information about hospital departments, emergency room services, visiting hours, patient admission procedures, and how to verify time-sensitive details such as wait times and contact information. We aim to empower patients and families with the knowledge they need to prepare for hospital visits, understand what to expect, and know where to turn for authoritative, up-to-date information.

Burnaby Hospital is a vital healthcare facility serving the Burnaby BC community and surrounding areas as part of the Fraser Health network. Navigating hospital services can be complex, especially during times of illness, injury, or stress. This guide is structured to answer common questions, provide practical checklists, and direct users to official sources for confirmation of details that may change frequently. We cover topics such as burnaby general hospital patient information, emergency room services, visiting hours, admissions procedures, and how to access current information about departments and medical services in Burnaby BC.

It is important to understand that this website is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by Fraser Health, the BC government, or Burnaby Hospital itself. We are an independent informational resource that complements official hospital communications. All time-sensitive information, including phone numbers, addresses, visiting hours, and real-time emergency wait times, should be verified through official channels such as the Fraser Health website, the BC government health portal, or by calling the hospital directly. Our role is to provide context, guidance, and a clear path to authoritative sources, not to replace official hospital information.

This guide is maintained with a commitment to clarity, accuracy, and accessibility. We use semantic HTML, plain language, and a content-first design approach to ensure that information is easy to find, understand, and use. Our writing tone is professional and formal, reflecting the seriousness of healthcare topics while remaining approachable and supportive. We recognize that patients and families come to this guide during challenging times, and we strive to provide information that reduces confusion, builds confidence, and supports informed decision-making.

The scope of this guide includes general information about hospital services, patient preparation, and navigation of the healthcare system in Canada. We do not provide medical advice, diagnose conditions, or recommend specific treatments. For medical questions or concerns, always consult a qualified healthcare provider. For emergency medical situations, call 911 immediately. This guide is intended to help you understand the structure and function of hospital services, prepare for visits, and know where to find the most current, authoritative information for your specific needs.

We encourage you to explore all sections of this guide, including our Home: services overview page, which provides detailed information about emergency room services, hospital departments, visiting hours, and patient admission procedures, and our FAQ: emergency room services and admissions page, which answers common questions in a concise, easy-to-navigate format. Together, these resources provide a comprehensive overview of patient care burnaby hospitals offer and how to access services effectively.

Sources and verification approach

Accurate, reliable information is the foundation of this guide. We recognize that healthcare information can change frequently, and that time-sensitive details such as visiting hours, emergency wait times, phone numbers, and department-specific policies must be verified through official sources. Our approach is to provide general guidance based on standard hospital practices in Canada, direct users to authoritative sources for confirmation, and clearly state when information should be verified before making decisions or traveling to the hospital.

The primary sources we reference and recommend for verification include government health resources, provincial health authorities, and official hospital websites. Health Canada, the federal department responsible for national health policy, provides authoritative guidance on patient safety, health system navigation, and public health. The BC government maintains a comprehensive health services portal that links to hospitals, clinics, and community health resources throughout British Columbia. Fraser Health, the regional health authority responsible for Burnaby Hospital and surrounding areas, publishes current information about services, visiting hours, contact details, and patient resources on its official website.

In addition to these primary sources, we reference general information from reputable reference sources such as Wikipedia for geographic context and community background. These references are used to provide an overview of Burnaby as a community and the role of healthcare facilities within the region. We do not rely on third-party directories, social media, or unverified sources for healthcare information, and we encourage users to do the same. When in doubt, always verify details through official channels or by calling the hospital directly.

Below is a table summarizing the types of sources we use, examples of each, and what they are used for in this guide:

Our verification approach is transparent and user-focused. We do not invent phone numbers, addresses, or specific visiting hours. Instead, we provide clear instructions on how to find this information through official sources. We include links to authoritative websites throughout the guide, and we encourage users to bookmark these resources for future reference. By directing users to official sources, we ensure that they have access to the most current, accurate information and reduce the risk of relying on outdated or incorrect details.

We also recognize that healthcare policies and procedures can change in response to public health events, operational needs, or new clinical guidelines. For this reason, we emphasize the importance of confirming time-sensitive details before making decisions or traveling to the hospital. Our goal is to provide a stable, reliable framework of general information while empowering users to verify specifics through the appropriate channels.

Accessibility and content design choices

Accessibility is a core principle of this guide. We believe that healthcare information should be available to everyone, regardless of ability, device, or browsing environment. To achieve this, we have made deliberate design and content choices that prioritize semantic HTML, keyboard navigation, readable typography, and reduced motion support. Our goal is to create a website that is usable, understandable, and navigable for the widest possible audience, including people with disabilities, older adults, and users with limited technical experience.

We use semantic HTML5 elements such as <article>, <section>, <nav>, <header>, <footer>, <main>, and <aside> to provide clear document structure and meaning. This structure helps screen readers and other assistive technologies interpret the content correctly and allows users to navigate efficiently. Headings are used in a logical hierarchy, with one <h1> per page and subsequent headings (<h2>, <h3>) used to organize content into clear sections and subsections. This hierarchy makes it easy to scan the page and understand the relationship between topics.

All interactive elements, including links, buttons, and accordion controls (<details>/<summary>), are fully keyboard accessible. Users can navigate the site using the Tab key, activate controls with Enter or Space, and see clear focus indicators that meet WCAG contrast requirements. We use the :focus-visible pseudo-class to provide high-contrast focus outlines that are visible when navigating by keyboard but do not appear when clicking with a mouse, reducing visual clutter while maintaining accessibility.

Typography is designed for readability, with a clear hierarchy, generous line spacing, and a comfortable reading width. We use a mobile-first, responsive design that adapts to different screen sizes and orientations, ensuring that content is readable on smartphones, tablets, and desktop computers. Font sizes are set using relative units (rem, em) to respect user preferences, and color contrast meets WCAG AA standards for normal and large text.

Accessibility commitment: This guide is built with semantic HTML, keyboard-navigable controls, high-contrast focus indicators, and a plain-language structure. We do not use JavaScript, images, or complex interactions that could create barriers for users with disabilities or those using assistive technologies. Our content-first approach ensures that information is accessible to everyone, regardless of device or browsing environment.

We also support users who prefer reduced motion. The CSS includes a @media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) media query that disables transitions and animations for users who have indicated a preference for reduced motion in their operating system or browser settings. This feature helps users with vestibular disorders, motion sensitivity, or cognitive disabilities who may find animations distracting or disorienting.

Our content design choices reflect a commitment to plain language and clarity. We avoid jargon, explain technical terms when necessary, and structure information in a logical, easy-to-follow format. Lists, tables, and accordions are used to organize information and make it easy to scan and find specific details. We provide context and explanations for complex topics, and we include clear calls to action that direct users to official sources for verification.

By prioritizing accessibility and user-centered design, we aim to create a guide that serves the diverse needs of the Burnaby BC healthcare community and supports equitable access to information for all patients, families, and visitors.

Contact and corrections

We are committed to maintaining accurate, helpful information in this guide. However, because this is an independent informational resource and not an official hospital website, we do not have direct access to real-time hospital data or the ability to update time-sensitive details such as visiting hours, phone numbers, or emergency wait times. For current information about Burnaby Hospital services, policies, and contact details, please consult the official Fraser Health website, the BC government health portal, or call the hospital directly.

If you have questions about hospital services, patient care, or how to access specific resources, we encourage you to start with our Visiting hours and wait times FAQ page, which answers common questions and provides guidance on where to find authoritative information. For a comprehensive overview of hospital departments, emergency room services, and patient admission procedures, visit our Burnaby Hospital guide homepage. These resources are designed to help you navigate the healthcare system and know where to turn for the information you need.

Thank you for using this guide. We hope it has provided you with the information and resources you need to navigate Burnaby Hospital services confidently and to know where to turn for authoritative, up-to-date details. For more information about patient care burnaby hospitals provide, emergency room services, and how to prepare for hospital visits, please explore all sections of this guide and consult official sources for verification.