www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, November 19, 2015 | 12 Improved infection control, new equipment welcomed continued from p.11 "The standards for things like infection control changed over 18 years. Right now, our patients are pretty darn cozy. It is not ideal. A lot of them like to sleep, read, watch TV , but it is not as lovely an environment for them because they are a little bit close to each other," said Baker. Improved infection control "Not as much room to move about, and from an infection control standpoint, the new hospital is going to be a much better situation." In fact, it will see the unit located on the second floor and feature floor-to-ceiling windows allowing for a view and considerably more natural light. Baker said there is more space between dialysis patients, making for a quieter and calmer experience. It will allow the dialysis patients to be organized into smaller pods for their treatment, creating greater privacy. Options are also available at the new space to provide greater privacy for dialysis patients, who are feeling particularly unwell. "If, for example, someone is sick or something you don't want to be in the middle of the unit where everyone is looking. If someone is having a really off day, or if they are in pain, then we can put them into a private room that's also usable for isolation, if we need it," said Baker. "Or, if there is a difficult discussion to be had with a physician or staff, they are already in a quiet room." Given the lack of room at the existing hospital, supply storage has overflowed into the hallways of the unit. Baker said she is looking forward to the new hospital where the unit will be able to keep these supplies out of sight in a massive supply room. The new hospital will also see certain units gain access to new technology. The unit will get a new fleet of dialysis machines. She said the patients were included in the selection of these machines, which are quieter and provide a better dialysis, leaving patients feeling considerably better once the day's treatment is over. New dialysis machines In preparation for the move, six of these new machines have been used at the existing hospital since January, meaning the staff have had more than enough time to get used to them. "On opening day, I want the renal assistants and the renal technicians, who look after the machines, to be able to go in there set up and have everything perfect," said Baker. "I then want the nurses to be able to go The standards for things like infection control changed over 18 years. Right now, our patients are pretty darn cozy. It is not ideal. A lot of them like to sleep, read, watch TV, but it is not as lovely an environment for them because they are a little bit close. Patient Care Manager, Regional Chronic Kidney Disease Program who have some kidney issues, but do not yet require dialysis. The extra space will allow for expanded counselling and education sessions for these patients. Preparing to move In preparation for the big move, Baker has had groups of her staff attending the new hospital to carry out workflow exercises and problem solving scenarios over the past year. Baker said because of the patients' dialysis scheduling, the unit would not be moving chronic patients on Dec. 13. The unit will open for chronic patients at the new hospital on Dec. 14. "I'm going to have the benefit of having staff up there on the Sunday making sure our machines are all hooked up and that our equipment has arrived and everything is good to go for Monday morning," she said. "What we do have to do is make sure that we have staff available to do any emergent dialysis. If we have patients in the ICU, we will probably be doing dialysis on move day in ICU. If there is a new acute (case) we still need to be ready to respond and we will be okay with that," said Baler. The emergency department at the new Oakville hospital opens on Dec. 13 at 6 a.m. At that same time, the emergency department at the Reynolds Street OTMH will close. Janet Baker in, know the machine, not have questions, be confident in the care they are providing and I want patients to come in and not see a new machine and go, `Oh gosh, what are they doing.' We've worked really hard doing the changes that we've wanted to do prior to the move. I think just getting used to our new home is going to be enough of a job." While the new hospital will be opening with 24 dialysis stations -- the same number as in the existing hospital -- this figure is expected to grow about a month after the hospital opens with staffing levels increasing to match. The new hospital has the capacity to increase that number of dialysis stations to 57, as needed. Baker said the new facility would also give staff twice the space to support the Kidney Care Clinic, which caters to about 1,000 patients 10%off All you can EAt Buffet (Lunch or Dinner Tues - Fri) staurant Sweets & Re at All You Can E n ia r a t e g e V % 0 10 t E f f u B a Weekday Samos 1099 SpeCiaL LUNCH $$ 99 2 /$1 DiNNeR 11 From 11am-3pm From 5pm-9pm 2345 Trafalgar Road · 905-257-0808 JUNIOR (3YR - 11YR) $8.99 Kids (2YR & Under) $ Free Want ant some? Yum Yum.....Dim Sum OAKVILLE AKVILLE 280 North Service Road W. @ Dorval 905-338-6228 ALL YOU CAN EAT Dine in for all You can eat 7 DaYs a week www.august8.ca Lunch or Dinner 5 Locations to serve you better!