High Acuity Unit Construction Update
Tour Highlights
Exciting developments are underway at the High Acuity Unit (HAU) of Nanaimo Regional General Hospital! During a recent tour, Jane Marriott, the Clinical Lead for Critical Care, and Bryan Quaife, the Project Lead, shared the incredible progress being made. They highlighted several significant construction milestones that have been achieved, showcasing the team’s hard work and dedication to enhancing patient care.
Patient Room Progress
- Patient rooms are in different stages of completion, with some fully drywalled and painted.
- Each room features large windows for natural light, significantly improving patient healing and comfort.
- Ceiling lifts are installed in rooms, with a magnetic gantry system for safe patient transfers.
Airborne Isolation Rooms & ICU Expansion
- The facility is increasing from 9 critical care beds to 24, including 8 dedicated airborne isolation rooms for enhanced infection control.
- These rooms offer dual functionality, usable as standard patient rooms when isolation is not required.
Improved Medical Infrastructure
- Every patient bed is now equipped for hemodialysis, removing the need to move patients for treatment.
- Each room is fitted with headwall systems instead of ceiling-mounted booms, allowing for more space and a streamlined workflow.
Enhanced Nurse & Physician Workspaces
- Collaboration stations and nursing stations have been strategically designed to improve efficiency and visibility between patient rooms.
- A quiet physician office has been added to address noise and privacy concerns.
Family & Patient-Centered Care Enhancements
- Dedicated family rooms with sleeping areas, and reclining chairs for long-stay visitors.
- Six patient rooms include recliners, encouraging mobility and patient well-being.
- A new minor procedure room is incorporated to facilitate on-site interventions such as chest tubes or cardioversions.
Medication & Equipment Management Upgrades
- A secure medication room with automated dispensing cabinets will allow faster and safer access to medications.
- A new pneumatic tube system will enable rapid transport of specimens and medications throughout the hospital.
Electrical & HVAC System Enhancements
- The unit is undergoing final power distribution adjustments to ensure reliability.
- Negative pressure systems have been installed in isolation rooms to ensure controlled airflow and infection prevention.
The project is on track, with many areas nearing final completion. These improvements will greatly enhance patient care, infection control, and the working environment for medical staff.
