The following media release was submitted by St. Francis Memorial Hospital
St. Francis Memorial Hospital (SFMH) is excited to share that it has received official approval of its Emergency Department (ED) Redevelopment Project Stage 2 submission from the Ministry of Health. Above: Members of the SFMH Emergency Team Sept/2021 from left: Katlynn Aleck RN, Dr. Marissa Ukos, Dr. Jason Malinowski, CNO Mary-Ellen Harris, Cheryl Pecarskie RN, COO Gregory McLeod.
The approval outlines projected patient visits for the programs and services involved (i.e., ED, ambulatory care, clinic, and medical day care visits) and the square footage required for each area to meet that volume of patients.
“We’re very pleased to receive this approval and be able to move forward with the next step in planning our new and improved emergency department. This redevelopment will support the continued delivery of high-quality, patient-centred care that we are proud to provide to residents of our community,” stated Joanne King, Chair, SFMH Board of Directors.
As the only ED between Renfrew and Huntsville, the SFMH emergency department currently sees more than 11,000 patients per year in a space that was originally designed for patient volumes of only 3,000 per year.
The renovation project will increase the physical footprint by 5,500 square feet, as well as upgrade and renovate the existing space to current standards for patient care, infection control, privacy/confidentiality, and occupational health, among others.
Deficiencies of the existing ED have been highlighted by both the implementation of the EPIC electronic medical records (EMR) system as well as the pandemic.
“We’re very excited as we watch this project move forward. Not only patients and families, but also the front-line doctors and nurses will appreciate the improvements in privacy, accessibility, infection control, and communications,” noted Dr. Jason Malinowski, SFMH Chief of Staff.
SFMH is now set to proceed to Stage 3 (designs, timelines and costs) of the five-stage approval process leading up to shovels in the ground.
Julia Boudreau, SFMH CEO thanked the Ministry of Health and Ontario Health East Region for endorsing our project as well as the staff, physicians and Patient and Family Advisory Council (PFAC) members who have been involved so far in the planning.
“The redevelopment of our ED will ensure ongoing safe and efficient emergency care close to home for residents of Barry’s Bay and surrounding area as patient volumes and health care needs continue to grow,” stated Boudreau.
St.Francis Memorial Hospital(2022,May2) St. Francis Memorial Hospital ED Redevelopment moves to next step [media release]
Amazing hospital always clean and so friendly wish they had more Dr’s
What they really need is more doctors!