Rockyview General opens new emergency department
June 15, 2010
CALGARY – Rockyview General Hospital’s new emergency department will open tomorrow morning (June 16) at 6 a.m.
The new, $26-million emergency department is more spacious than the current one, offering more privacy for patients, state-of-the-art equipment, and better working conditions for staff.
“This state-of-the-art emergency department is an important step toward our Province of Alberta’s goal of delivering the best-performing, publicly funded health care system in Canada,” said Gene Zwozdesky, Minister of Health and Wellness. “We have committed predictable, long-term funding to AHS through our 5-year funding plan and we are working collaboratively to ensure the best care for all Albertans.”
The Rockyview emergency department currently sees about 70,000 patients per year, and that number continues to increase. The new, more spacious department will help to address comfort and crowding concerns for patients in the treatment and waiting areas.
“The evidence-based design of the new Rockyview Emergency Department incorporates innovative concepts that will improve the quality of care and provide more effective work spaces for frontline medical care,” said Alberta Health Services Board Chair Ken Hughes.
“Patients will be better served by the expanded space, improved infection prevention and control infrastructure, increased privacy and more effective ‘flow’ within the department. This new emergency department is a great illustration of Alberta Health Services’ drive toward better access to better quality care.”
The new department will be well-supported technologically with additional computers and new medical equipment throughout. This includes three state-of-the-art resuscitation rooms that have overhead X-ray capability and a cardiac monitor, thermometer, blood pressure cuff and oxygen saturation monitor in each treatment space. These improvements will help staff to work more efficiently in providing quality care.
Each treatment space in the new Rockyview emergency department is divided by walls, instead of curtains. This helps to ensure patients have as much privacy as possible without compromising the monitoring of their care.
In addition, six new ambulance bays and a new helipad will provide a smoother transition for patients arriving by EMS and STARS.
Improved mental health space will help to ensure that individuals who are in crisis are cared for and monitored in a safe, secure environment.
Taking into account the diverse needs of Albertans, AHS is strategically investing in the health system to support patients and communities to stay healthy and manage illness effectively.
The new emergency department is one of more than 1,000 construction and renovation projects currently underway across the province. Alberta Health Services is building and renewing facilities across the province to provide accessible, sustainable, quality health care to all Albertans. There is approximately $5 billion invested in active construction in dozens of communities across the province.
Alberta Health Services is the provincial health authority responsible for planning and delivering health supports and services for more than 3.7 million adults and children living in Alberta. Its mission is to provide a patient-focused, quality health system that is accessible and sustainable for all Albertans.
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