FALL 2018 ISSUE our community is our foundation.
To rebuild, to renovate, or both? In August, the Board of Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare (MAHC) accepted the Task Force’s recommendation that Muskoka continue to have two acute care sites. Task Force Chair Cameron Renwick said, “This means longterm planning envisions a hospital in both Huntsville and Bracebridge, each providing core services and 24-hour emergency care.”
meet today’s infection control requirements (and prevent the spread of infections such as C. difficile), more private rooms are needed, each with its own bathroom and handwashing sink. Treatment areas also need more space in order to deliver safe, effective care. Aging infrastructure is another issue; for example, the hospital just spent nearly $300,000 on new elevator controls and roof Long-term planning is required repairs. There are millions more in by the Ministry of Health and Longinfrastructure needs at both sites. Term Care and is, according to Renwick, “Good common sense. We need to ensure we have the proper health care services and facilities for our community for decades to come.” The next step is to explore the physical design of the two sites. Considerations include: a new build within both towns, or renovations to the existing buildings, or a combination of each; the same or new locations within each town; potential for phasing the project over time; as well as ways for the community to fundraise its local share of the redevelopment. “The South Muskoka Memorial Hospital is 55 years old,” said Renwick, “and won’t meet our future needs without change. For example, according to present-day Ministry guidelines, the building should be 50 percent larger today for current patient volumes.” Modern hospital rooms are required to accommodate more equipment and technology than current spaces allow. To
The Capital Plan Development Task Force meets regularly with consultants.
“Sometimes, the cost of renovations is as expensive as a rebuild,” Renwick said. “Is there room for an addition or would it be best to start from scratch at another location?” These are the types of considerations that this next part of planning will examine as well as the potential costs. As the work is exceedingly technical, the Task Force will rely on highly knowledgeable and experienced consultants working through options with MAHC clinicians. Once the design part is complete and endorsed by the Board next spring, the plan goes to the Ministry for approval. This is the first of five stages in the lengthy capital planning process.
Supporting
emergency care Emergency health care delivery is one of the most active and demanding areas of any hospital, and South Muskoka Memorial Hospital is no exception. The Foundation’s newest campaign reflects that demand with a goal to raise $2.1 million by June 2019. In addition to supporting the Emergency Department (ED), funds will be used to purchase much needed equipment for other departments that support the ED, like our lab and diagnostic imaging departments. Six out of ten patients who come to the ED require additional testing, such as x-rays, other imaging modalities and lab work. Vital Signs Monitor CADD Pumps (2) Autoclave Sterilizer Crash Carts (6) Anesthesia Machine Hematology Analyzer Histology Special Stain Machine Non-Invasive Ventilator Humidifier/Oxy Blender Ultrasound Transducer Cabinets (2) Tissue Processor Histology Cover Slip Histology Slide Stainer
$6,000 $11,900 $75,000 $30,000 $90,000 $60,000 $50,000 $33,000 $3,500 $10,000 $70,000 $75,000 $70,000
The South Muskoka Memorial Hospital has one of the busiest EDs in cottage country, seeing more than 20,000 patients a year. Those patient visits spike in the summertime, with approximately one quarter of annual visits occurring in July and August. Everything from cardiac crash carts at $5,000 each to mental health safe rooms are needed. A detailed list is provided above. For more information, please contact the Foundation office at (705) 645-4404 x3193.