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Emergency Department Renovations Complete
At long last the 18 month Redevelopment Project of the ADMH
Emergency Department has come to an end. This new space is a little over
6000 square feet and will allow our doctors, nurses and staff to provide the
highest quality of clinical space for our growing and aging community.
“I am proud to say that the project was completed on time and
on budget” said CEO Eric Hanna. The construction of this project began in
the summer of 2009. Prior to the renovation a lot of changes were required
to bring the facility up to date: the ER medical staff had an obstructed
view of the most critically ill patients in the observation area; the exam
cubicles were too small to accommodate a stretcher; ambulances couldn’t fit
under the roof of the drop off area; the waiting room was small and lacked
privacy; there was many accessibility challenges from lack of handicapped
washrooms to a multitude of stairs; and not enough power outlets to
accommodate all of today’s necessary medical equipment.
The renovation project addressed all these concerns and many
more. Patient safety, infection control and patient privacy were all taken
into account in the redesign process. The addition of the triage area and
having patients assessed by a nurse prior to registering ensures our sickest
patients are seen first. The triage room also allows for private
conversation to take place between patient and nurse.
Beyond the emergency waiting room, the entire department is
brand new. Observation areas are in clear view of the nursing station. The
trauma room is brighter and increased in size. In recognition of the
various manufacturing plants, factories and farms in Renfrew County and
surrounding areas, a decontamination room was built to deal with chemical or
industrial accidents. And at long last ambulances can now fit under the
ambulance canopy.
The redevelopment of the emergency department also permitted
changes to other parts of the hospital. Health records received a new home
with a lot more storage, diagnostic imaging can now be accessed directly
from the ER, the Auxiliary has a brand new gift shop and the parking lot at
the front of the building was designed for optimum traffic flow. ,
The two entrances from the parking lot welcome patients and
visitors to the hospital. Like all the other entrance they are clearly
marked with an alphabetical letter. This will help staff direct patients
and visitors to the appropriate area of the hospital.
A final thank you for this project needs to be given to the
staff, doctors, nurses, volunteers and patients for their understanding and
perseverance when dealing with the noise, the inconvenience and the constant
changes that took place throughout construction. The final cost of this
project, $12.5 million, being recognized for exemplary care; making your
health our priority, priceless.
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