A Battlefords Union Hospital Retrofit project is moving into its second major phase.
Beginning Friday, July 16, work starts in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and Operating Room (OR) areas. As a result, the ICU and OR areas will be temporarily closed until the renovations in those areas are complete.
"The ICU will close on Friday, July 16 and is scheduled to reopen on Monday, July 26 while the OR will be closed on July 16 and is scheduled to reopen Tuesday, Aug. 10," explained Barbara Jiricka, vice-president of Integrated Health Services for Prairie North Health Region.
For the time period the ICU is closed, no patients will be admitted to that unit.
"Arrangements will be made for patients requiring intensive care to be assessed and transferred to another hospital," said Jiricka.
No elective surgeries have been scheduled for the time the OR is closed. "However, in the event of an emergency, OR staff and alternative surgery locations within the hospital are on standby," explained Jiricka.
She added, "Staff continue to work hard to deliver safe, quality care to our patients and their families during the retrofit."
Region officials say renovations that began in June are running on time and according to schedule. Upgrades have been completed in the labour and delivery wing and in the women's health and birthing patient rooms on the second floor, as well as in the pharmacy and home care departments on the fourth floor.
"Overall, the retrofit project has been running efficiently," said Lionel Chabot, PNHR vice-president of Development and Operations. "A project such as this is a huge undertaking and it has been a learning process for everyone involved. Staff have been doing an excellent job of adjusting and adapting to the changes," stated Chabot.
The retrofit project is aimed at improving safety and energy efficiency. Work includes installation of an overhead fire suppression sprinkler system on each floor, installation of energy efficient lighting, upgrading of the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems and upgrading of ceilings.
The project is expected to be completed by October.
