Mackenzie Health Insider: Another step closer to achieving our two-hospital vision
Another step closer to achieving our two-hospital vision
As the volume of COVID-19 activity in the hospital stabilizes, we’ve begun to gradually resume scheduled surgeries and expand access to visitors. We’re also continuing to enhance the care we provide to patients at Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital by introducing a new, more convenient way to schedule appointments and view test results.
As we get closer to achieving the next construction milestone at Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital, more clinical spaces are becoming finished. This month, we’ll give you a sneak peak into the Carlo and Angela Baldassarra Family Inpatient Dialysis Unit and the quality care our team of experts in the York Region Chronic Kidney Disease Program provide across all of our Mackenzie Health locations.
All this and more in this edition of the Insider.
A smart way to access your health information
When Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital opens in early 2021, it will be Canada’s first smart hospital. But we’re not waiting for our second hospital to open to begin investing in smart technology to enhance care and outcomes for our patients. Not only have we already been recognized for these investments in technology at Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital and the way we use it to improve patient care, these tools have also proven very useful as we’ve navigated the COVID-19 pandemic over these past few months.
We’re a national leader in the use of the Epic electronic medical record system and this is allowing us to give patients tested at the Mackenzie Health COVID-19 Assessment Centre access to their test results online. Our ability to receive test results directly from the lab into our electronic medical record system digitally has meant that our patients now get their results in half the time – on average within 20 hours, down from 40 hours at the start of the pandemic.
In April, we also introduced a SMARTScheduling feature on our MyChart platform. MyChart is a free online tool that allows patients to access their Mackenzie Health health information securely from a personal device. SMARTScheduling allows patients to book an appointment at the Mackenzie Health COVID-19 Assessment Centre online at a time that’s convenient for them. Beginning this month, patients can also book their appointments at select clinics, including appointments for diagnostic imaging and respiratory therapy tests, using their MyChart account. SMARTScheduling also allows patients to re-schedule and cancel their appointments and receive notifications if an earlier appointment time becomes available.
With MyChart, patients can log on to a computer, phone or tablet anywhere at any time to access test results, past and future appointments and view treatment summaries, their list of prescribed medications and more. Patients can now also access their medical imaging records including x-rays, CT and MRI scans using the MyChart platform. They no longer need to make an additional trip to the hospital to pick up hard copies in person.
Expanding access to exceptional kidney care
The Carlo and Angela Baldassarra Family Inpatient Dialysis Unit at Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital is nearing completion with all millwork completed and patient lift tracks, light covers, and dialysis boxes already installed. Over the next few weeks, window shades will be installed, and work will be finalized on the walls, ceilings and floors.
When the Carlo and Angela Baldassarra Family Inpatient Dialysis Unit opens at Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital early next year, it will be the latest addition to one of the top performing kidney care programs in the province.
The York Region Chronic Kidney Disease program at Mackenzie Health is a regional program providing a full range of services to patients in communities all across York Region. The goal of our care teams is to provide seamless and responsive patient care. This means that patients will be able to receive the care they need no matter where they are. As an example, inpatients being treated at Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital won’t need to be transferred to Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital if they’re in need of dialysis treatment.
Up to eight patients will receive care in the Carlo and Angela Baldassarra Family Inpatient Dialysis Unit, but countless others will be able to receive dialysis treatment at their bedside if they aren’t able to leave their patient room. Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital will have state-of-the-art equipment, medical-grade water for hemodialysis and the capability to offer dialysis treatment in 80 locations across the hospital, including inside airborne isolation rooms.
Once patients are discharged from hospital, they can choose where they want to continue their outpatient care depending on what’s most convenient for them – either at Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital or at one of our community-based locations.
With financial support from generous donors like the Carlo and Angela Baldassarra Family, the Chronic Kidney Disease program at Mackenzie Health will continue to provide care to countless patients who need kidney care.
Construction continues at Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital
South view of Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital featuring the Giovanni De Gasperis ♦ Eugene Kohn Learning Centre
At the end of June, we came one step closer to achieving substantial completion and getting the keys to Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital when the City of Vaughan, in conjunction with the Vaughan Fire and Rescue Service, granted occupancy for the new hospital.
This means that the building has been deemed safe and has passed all fire and building code requirements. As our construction partners continue to work hard to get us to the next construction milestone, our teams at Mackenzie Health are looking towards all of the work they’ll need to do once the site is officially handed over to get the hospital ready to welcome patients in early 2021.
Although the hospital may look ready, there will be months of work ahead to train our staff and work through clinical processes and workflows in the new space to ensure that staff and physicians are prepared to deliver the best care possible to patients under any possible scenario. This time is also needed to make sure all 30,000 pieces of equipment and furniture are set up properly and tested so it always operates as it should.
Once Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital opens its doors to the public early next year, our community will have confidence that the space is functional, and that the nurses and physicians at Mackenzie Health are as prepared as they can be to deliver the ultimate in care to our community.
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