They are questions we hear often when talking about plans for The New Single-Site Acute Care Hospital:  What happens if there is an outbreak of infectious disease a the new hospital?  Isn’t it better to have two hospitals so we can keep those infected isolated at a separate location?

Good questions that can be easily addressed with modern ventilation systems designed to protect patients from contaminated air.   Windsor Regional Hospital’s Allison Johnson travelled to the new Niagara Health System facility in St. Catherines, to find out more.

WATCH:  A BREATH OF FRESH AIR – NIAGARA HEALTH SYSTEM

 

BUILT IN INFECTION CONTROL FEATURES AT THE NIAGARA HEALTH SYSTEM:

  • 80% private room capacity
  • 1400+ hand washing stations
  • At least 1 airborne infection isolation room per unit, with ventilation that is completely separate from the rest of the building
  • Solid surfacing in the Operating Room to keep it cleaner
  • Personal protection cabinets built into the walls with accessible personal protective equipment for routine practices and additional precautions
  • Articulating arms to keep items off the floor and make cleaning easier.
  • Elevator banks for services to keep staff, patients and visitors separate and give patients more privacy

 

Shelly Schmidt, Manager of Infection & Control says patients are safer in this new facility.

Shelly Schmidt, Manager of Infection & Control says patients are safer in this new facility.

 

“We do have general statistics showing that the trend is down on transmission of antibiotic resistant organisms and organisms such as c-diff.  Fewer people have acquired healthcare associated infections in the new hospital.” Shelly Schmidt, Manager of Infection Prevention & Control