Chinook Regional Hospital to replace more than 170 beds

Investment part of Government of Alberta’s 3-Year Health Capital Plan

LETHBRIDGE — More than 170 patient beds are being replaced at Chinook Regional Hospital with new electric beds designed to prevent bed ulcers, patient falls and caregiver back injuries.

The new ‘electric’ beds have intuitive controls for ease of use by patients, caregivers and hospital staff. They replace a significant portion of the hospital’s 281 beds, some of which are more than 20 years old. New mattresses will help reduce bed ulcers for sedentary patients.

The new beds cost about $2.9 million.

“The beds can be raised and lowered, enabling patients to more easily enter and exit their bed, which should reduce the risk of falling,” says hospital vice-president Teri Myhre. “They also include features that will reduce caregiver back injuries.”

The Government of Alberta has committed $209 million for maintenance projects, through the Infrastructure Maintenance Program (IMP), and $75 million for technology and equipment, all part of the province’s 3-Year Health Capital Plan. The IMP budget provides funding to cover the cost of repairs, upgrades, maintenance and replacement of building systems and building service equipment at 128 sites throughout the province. The technology and equipment budget provides funding to replace and upgrade medical equipment and technology throughout the province.

More than $11.5 million is being invested in Lethbridge. This investment will be used to purchase the new electric beds and other hospital equipment, including fetal heart monitors, ultrasound units and a digital X-ray machine. IMP funds will be used for maintenance on the hospital’s emergency generator and uninterruptable power system, among other projects.

“Budget 2010 included an additional $75 million of capital funding over three fiscal years to replace and upgrade aging and obsolete medical equipment and technology,” says Lethbridge West MLA Greg Weadick. “AHS has been able to access a greater purchasing power to allow for sizable purchases and replacement of equipment.”

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.

• News release

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