The OTMH Intensive Care Unit (ICU) was among the first opened in Canada back in 1963, but times have changed and now, the pride of 1963 is overâ€"crowded with patients, equipment and supplies. In 1963, the nursing station consisted of a desk, chair and telephone; basic ICU equipment was not envisioned and technology soon translated into a space problem! Expansion of the ICU has always been one of the top priorities of the hospital‘s redevelopment and renovation program. The new ICU, which will be officially opened on November 2, has the best equipment and technology thanks to the genâ€" erous donation of $1â€"million from the Auxiliary to the Oakvilleâ€"Trafalgar Memorial Hospital. What does $1â€"million buy? The list ranges from beds to the best advanced diagnostic technology. New equipment includes an ICU monitoring system comprised of central and bedside monitors and 12 telemetry units for use throughout the Hospital, a portable pacemaker defibrillator, patient simulator (for teaching), 12 stateâ€"ofâ€"theâ€"art beds, and furniture for the patient rooms such as overbed tables, cabinets and chairs. Nonâ€"invasive blood pressure monitors, an autoâ€" matic lift and geriatric chairs are also included in the $1â€"million "shopping list." Just as in 1963, Oakvilleâ€"Trafalgar will be on the leading edge of technology with the installation of a Kodak Ektascan Imagelink System which allows xâ€"ray images to be viewed simultaneously on high resolution monitors from ICU and Diagnostic Imaging without using film. Two large monitors are located in each area which allows physicians to call up multiple images and compare a patient‘s progress. The Imagelink System is also able to interface with our existing ultrasound units, and other special procedure units and satellite units, making it a multipurpose sysâ€" tem. Monies from the Auxiliary were also applied towards the purchase of this equipment. "The bedâ€"capacity for the unit will remain at 12," said Lee Johnson, Nurse Manager of the ICU. "However, they are all private rooms with winâ€" dows, two of which have the capacity to become complete isolation rooms. There is an expanded nursing station, procedure room (saves taking patients down to xâ€"ray), a conference room to house the ICU library and the much needed addition of a family lounge. The surroundings are bright, spacious and equipped with the best equipment money can buy." It is also conveniently located near the new chapel and the new operatâ€" ing and postâ€"anaesthetic care units. The OTMH Pharmacy was opened in 1956 to serve the inpatients of our then 163â€"bed Hospital. Until 1993 there had been no expansion or renovation in the department but the workload continued to increase to meet the changes at OTMH and in health care. As a matter of fact, the increased workload exceeded all projections. The former space had been inadequate for some years; the increasing sophistication and specialization of medical practice and addition of current medication systems required expansion of the area. Pharmacy has now moved into their new quarters and to celebrate, they are hostâ€" ing a Public Open House. Drop by and take a peak "behind the scenes" at the new Drug Information Centre, dispensary and sterile manufacturing area. Wednesday, November 2, 1994 1:00 â€" 4:30 p.m. â€" OTMH â€" Main Floor Stop by before or after the ICU Open House and discover the importance of the pharmacist/patient relatlonshlp Pharmacy Awareness Week is being celebrated across Canada from October 31 to November 4, 1994. NEWS AND INFORMATION FROM OAKVIL[E'-TRAFALGAIH’IEWRIAL HOSPITAL Official Opening of the WHY ARE THES New EXpanded These smiling people a IntenSive Care Unit they are inviting you to a personal tour of their November 2, 1994 Pharmacy Awareness Week Hospital‘s older ultrasound units being donated to a third world country, while Eric Lepp (left) of Acuson looks on. OTMH was recently in a position to send the used equipâ€" ment to Ethiopia, where it will be installed in an area hosâ€" pital. The unit has been replaced with a newer piece of equipment that utilizes advanced technology. The arrangeâ€" ment of this donation was a joint venture between the Hospital and the manufacturer of the unit, Acuson. These smiling people are the staff of the OTMH ICU and they are inviting you to join them for the celebrations and a personal tour of their new and expanded quarters. Opening Ceremonies sponsored by the OTMH Charitable Corporation Wednesday, November 2 Opening Ceremony â€" 3:00 p.m. _ Tours â€" 3:30 to 8:00 p.m. â€" Senior UlItrasound Technologist, Danica Prucic and Director of Diagnostic Services, Dennis Baranoski (right), affix the address label to one of the ETHIOPIA