Patients move more efficiently and safely through Royal Jubilee Hospital emergency after a $220,000 renovation, funded largely by Victoria donors Peter and Sandra Powell.
Island Health and the fundraising, philanthropic Victoria Hospitals Foundation on Wednesday unveiled renovations to the emergency wing, all of them designed after extensive consultations with staff, including cleaners, porters, nurses and doctors.
Dr. Chris Morrow, head of emergency and trauma care, said the hospital is proud of the results achieved after “grassroots” consultation and the $120,000 gift from the Powells. The remainder of the money came from Island Health.
Morrow said staff generated ideas to improve workflow, procedures and space allocation. He said the result significantly improved care for patients and the work environment — without huge expense or disruptions.
“This is not a major renovation that has changed the footprint of the department,” he told reporters. “We reimagined the footprint and made some great strides to improve patient care and the staff environment.”
Highlights include more procedure rooms for things such as stitches, additional treatment recliners, more waiting room chairs, and extra acute-care beds. There’s also a new medication room for patients who can walk, allowing medication to be given more quickly without losing sight of the patient.
The Royal Jubilee Hospital is the largest single, tertiary care centre on Vancouver Island. Its emergency department was designed to handle 40,000 patients a year, but now handles 60,000 — an average of about 160 each day.
“We find ourselves in a position where the department was bursting at the seams,” Morrow said.
The only medical crises the Royal Jubilee doesn’t typically handle are traumas, for example, a sudden injury sustained in a workplace accident or car crash, and births. Those cases are sent to Victoria General Hospital.
The Royal Jubilee emergency department serves as a referral centre for psychiatric patients, nephrology and urology care, cardiology, vascular surgery and cancer treatment, and plays a big role in treating Victoria’s street population.
Philanthropist Peter Powell said when he and Sandra heard of the need, they were happy to help. He said he was especially impressed when he learned that the renovations will make it easier for medical staff to keep patients in view.
“All of us have sat in emergency departments awaiting treatment for ourselves or our families while more urgent cases are dealt with,” he said. “We understand and we accept this.
“But we all feel better when we know the staff can see us and, if our situation deteriorates, they will be there to help.”
