New $18.5M High-Acuity Unit to Enhance Care at Nanaimo Hospital

A new high-acuity unit at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital is set to begin accepting patients by August 28, 2023. This 12-bed facility aims to provide care for individuals with critical health needs who do not require intensive care unit (ICU) services. The unit, valued at $18.5 million, was funded through a collaboration between the provincial government, the Nanaimo Regional Hospital District, and the Nanaimo and District Hospital Foundation.

The high-acuity unit features advanced medical capabilities, including dialysis equipment, monitoring tools, private bathrooms, and ceiling lifts. This new facility represents the completion of the final phase of the $60 million Nanaimo critical care project, which previously included a newly constructed ICU that opened in 2023 at a cost of $41.6 million.

Improving Patient Care and Operational Efficiency

Kelly McColm, Manager of ICU, High Acuity Unit (HAU), and Respiratory Therapy, highlighted the operational improvements the new unit will bring. “Those patients who would have not been able to be serviced within the logistic environment of the critical care, which is 12 beds, are currently in a temporary location in our recovery room,” she stated. The transition to the new unit will allow high-acuity patients to receive care in a more appropriate setting.

Previously, these patients were accommodated in an eight-bed temporary unit established at the back of the emergency department during the COVID-19 pandemic. Jane Marriott, the clinical nurse leader for the unit, emphasized the transformation in patient care, noting that the unit enables staff to work more effectively as a team.

“We have space. We can walk around our patients, we can easily get them up with our new ceiling lifts. We can lift them off the bed – we can put patients into the bathroom, which is unheard of,” she explained. The unit is designed to facilitate comprehensive care, with all necessary supplies and equipment readily available within the room.

Impact on Recruitment and Community Support

Sheila Malcolmson, Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Nanaimo-Gabriola, remarked on the broader implications of the new unit for healthcare staffing. “When we talk with pride about what we are building here in Nanaimo, it helps us retain and recruit the vital healthcare professionals we need to do this work,” she said. Malcolmson expressed gratitude to the design team at Island Health for their dedication to creating a state-of-the-art facility that meets the needs of both patients and families.

The new high-acuity unit is expected to make a significant difference in the quality of care provided at the hospital. Marriott reiterated the collaborative effort that made this project possible, stating, “This was not just one individual, this was multi-layered team members that worked very hard to get this to fruition.”

The facility is poised to enhance patient experiences and outcomes, reflecting the community’s commitment to improving healthcare services in the region. As it prepares to open, the high-acuity unit stands as a testament to the contributions of various stakeholders, from foundation donors to healthcare professionals.