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Kamloops Sterilization Unit to Get $750,000
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Kamloops, July 5, 2010 - The Province is providing immediate funding for Interior Health to purchase new sterilization equipment items and enable detailed planning to determine the scope and final cost of a new and expanded central sterilization department at the Royal Inland Hospital, announced Health Services Minister Kevin Falcon.
“The new equipment will improve operations in the sterilization department and enable planning work to be fast-tracked to allow renovations to begin by the end of this year,” said Falcon. “The immediate funding will allow Interior Health to buy some urgent equipment items while detailed planning is undertaken.”
Interior Health will use a portion of the $750,000 to help address current conditions in light of recent equipment failure. Currently a new sterilization machine is already on order and expected to arrive in early July. The new machine will have double the capacity of the old one.
“Minister Falcon committed to immediately implement the recommendations coming out of the independent audit,” said Kamloops-South Thompson MLA Kevin Krueger. “Today’s (June 29) announcement fulfils that commitment.”
“We remain committed to building a new and expanded central sterilization department at Royal Inland Hospital,” said Kamloops-North Thompson MLA Terry Lake. “When complete in late 2011, the new sterilization department will ensure uninterrupted care for the thousands of Kamloops-area patients served every year by the hospital.”
The funding will also enable fast-track planning to refine the scope and cost for the redesign, renovation and expansion of the central sterilization department. This will include: - Dedicated elevators to transport equipment between the operating rooms and the sterilization department.
- Redesign and expansion renovations of the central sterilization department to increase the area and accommodate additional equipment.
- Renovations of the sterile operating room core for sterilization processing activities and equipment storage.
- Implementation of a case cart system, which is used to transport surgical instruments to and from the operating room.
“The redesign of the central sterilization department at Royal Inland Hospital has been a number one capital priority for Interior Health. We’ve worked hard through the appropriate steps to bring this project to fruition and are very pleased with this significant announcement that will address concerns in the short-term as we continue with the planning for the larger redesign,” said Interior Health president and CEO, Dr. Robert Halpenny.
“Royal Inland Hospital is the primary acute care facility for Kamloops and the larger Thompson Cariboo Shuswap region. This immediate investment represents a commitment to patient care both for today and into the future,” said Interior Health Board chair Norman Embree.
A phased approach will be taken for completion of the renovations to ensure continuity of surgeries and allow work to get underway faster, beginning later this year.
The estimated total project cost including the equipment is expected to be around $11 million. Interior Health will be approaching the Thompson Regional Hospital District as a potential funding partner at the earliest possible date.
For More Information Contact :
Ministry of Health Services
Public Affairs Bureau
250 952-1887 (media line)
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