Home »
Provincial Mobile Medical Unit supports EKRH during ICU renovation
Patients in East Kootenay Regional Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU) will receive safe, quality care in the provincial Mobile Medical Unit (MMU) during a ten-day renovation of the ICU.
The renovation is necessary to accommodate the installation of a Pyxis station, an automated medication dispensing system which is the standard in medication safety and control across Interior Health’s (IH) coverage area.
“The use of the MMU is the best clinical solution for the delivery of safe patient care during the ICU renovation,” said Jason Giesbrecht, East Kootenay Acute Area Director. “We are very excited to have the unit on site and to be able to use this provincial resource to ensure it is business as usual at EKRH.”
The MMU is a state-of-the- art stand alone hospital unit on wheels which will allow for the continuity of patient care in a quiet, controlled environment. The use of the mobile unit is the preferred option to using space in the emergency department at EKRH.
The MMU arrived in Cranbrook last night (May 22) and will be set up at EKRH today to house the ICU unit, patients and staff from Monday, May 28 to Wednesday, June 6. Prior to Monday, ICU and EKRH staff will receive orientation and training, systems will be tested and the MMU will be stocked with supplies.
The Ministry of Health purchased the MMU and asked PHSA to maintain the unit, work with emergency response planners, clinicians and other stakeholders from the six health authorities on the development and implementation of an operating plan for its use in the province. Each of the six health authorities in British Columbia contribute funding for the operational budget of the MMU.
The cost of the Pyxis station for the ICU is approximately $124, 000.
Five Pyxis stations are being installed in East Kootenay Regional Hospital at a total cost of $620,000 which is being funded through the 60/40 funding agreement with the Kootenay East Regional Hospital District.
While a full replacement of the ICU at EKRH is one of the top priorities for Interior Health, installation of the Pyxis machine will improve ongoing clinical care in the current ICU.
The Mobile Medical Unit consists of a 15.9-metre tractor-trailer, which can expand to a 90-square-metre unit with 8-10 beds, depending on patient acuity.
The MMU has a range of clinical capabilities from providing minor medical treatments to critical care and emergency life-saving surgery.
The MMU is kept in a state of readiness to assist the health authorities in case of disaster, and includes a support trailer stocked with 72 hours worth of medical supplies and other equipment.
The MMU also has a smaller trailer that carries a tent large enough to provide additional capacity to support patient care during a large-scale disaster.
Interior Health
