Nov. 16 - $382,000 Improvements “Breathe” Fresh Air into Lakeridge Health Port Perry
$382,000 Improvements “Breathe” Fresh Air into Lakeridge Health Port Perry
LH places HVAC on priority list – attracts $312,000 from Province
(Port Perry) – Kevin Empey, President and CEO is excited to announce that Lakeridge Health has received funding from the Local Health Integration Networks Health Infrastructure Renewal Fund (HIRF). The $312,000 request was one of LH’s top priority funding requests and will be used to replace the heating, ventilating and air-conditioning system (HVAC) in the Operating Room (OR) and Central Sterilization and Reprocessing (CSR) areas at Lakeridge Health Port Perry. Lakeridge Health has also committed an additional $70,000 towards long-standing quality and infection control improvements that will be completed simultaneously during this time to minimize disruptions.
“At over 40 years old, our current HVAC system is at the end of its useful life – heightening the risk of a failure. By placing the project ahead of other important infrastructure improvements across the LH network, we have successfully attracted government funding - minimizing the risk of disruption to our patient care services and avoiding the need for local fundraising,” Kevin said.
The HIRF grant enables hospitals to undertake minor capital projects that improve the quality or functionality of hospital facilities. It does not include additional operating funds from the Ministry. Lakeridge Health received a total of $603,562 in HIRF grants for 2008/2009 fiscal year. Other projects include replacing the medical air and vacuum pump system at Lakeridge Health Oshawa.
“The new HVAC system will improve air exchange and filtration levels throughout the OR and CSR – ensuring that our patients, staff and physicians continue to provide care in a safe, high quality environment,” Kevin said. “Although the replacement of this equipment will have some short-term impacts on services at LH Port Perry, continuing to risk full equipment break down is simply not an option. Proactive replacement means that the disruptions will be minimized to about 3 weeks (versus 8 weeks) and at a time when activity at the site is slower,’ he explained.
The improvements are set to take place December 28 -January 17, 2010 – a traditional slow time for hospitals across the province. Lakeridge Health has a plan to ensure that the construction will go smoothly for patients and staff. “The safety, comfort and care of our patients, families, staff, physicians and volunteers are our primary concern,” said Mr. Empey. “For reasons of infection control, safety and the comfort and care of our patients, the New Life Centre, Operating Room and CSR will be temporarily closed while the construction is taking place.”
All other services remain unchanged. As the endoscopy area is not affected by the improvements, endoscopy will run 5 days a week (versus 4 days).
“We reviewed many options to safely relocate these services,” added Dr. Smith, Lakeridge Health Chief of Family Medicine. “After considering the issues of security, prevention of exposure to infections, and patient privacy, we have recommended that our patients travel and deliver their newborns at Lakeridge Health Oshawa and urgent surgical patients are to be sent to Lakeridge Health Bowmanville or Oshawa.”
Patients expecting their baby during this time period have been advised to discuss their action plan with their physician. Plans have been put in place to manage unavoidable birthing situations safely and professionally. Mother and baby will be transferred to LH Oshawa when it is safe. Patients and families are asked to call the New Life Centre at (905) 985-7321 ext. 5525 if they have any questions.
Affected hospitals, emergency services personnel, physicians and staff at LHPP and Lakeridge Health Bowmanville and Oshawa have been consulted and informed of the changes and measures.
- 30-
For further info:
Leigh Winn-Kruck
Communications
905-576-8711 ext. 4317
lwinn-kruck@lakeridgehealth.on.ca