Mackenzie Health recently added 20 new hemodialysis beds to help improve the quality of care for long-term care residents requiring these specialized services.
The additional beds created a new pilot Specialty Hemodialysis Unit which provides specialized care closer to home, helps people better manage chronic diseases and provides progressive care for older adults. As part of Mackenzie Health’s Long-Term Care Centre, residents enjoy a state-of-the-art facility while also benefitting from the close proximity to valuable medical services such as dialysis, geriatric consultation and emergency care. The on-site extended medical services help increase efficiency in the delivery of care, provide seamless care, enhance safety and quality of life as hemodialysis residents no longer require any external transportation to access care services essential to their health.
“My husband needs dialysis three times a week and there are days when he cannot sit in a wheelchair for the treatment, so he has to be transported in a bed,” says Mrs. McGregor, the wife of a resident of the Mackenzie Health Long-Term Care facility’s Specialized Hemodialysis Unit. “I cannot imagine how hard it would be for him to have to travel for his treatment. Being part of the hemodialysis unit and having services on site makes it so much easier for my husband to receive the care he needs. It is comforting to know that he gets such great service.”
Mackenzie Health is the first hospital with a long-term care home in Ontario to receive approval from the provincial government (through the Central Local Health Integration Network) to operate the Specialty Hemodialysis Unit. This confirms Mackenzie Health’s leadership in healthcare and in providing optimal hemodialysis services for residents who require such treatments in a long-term care setting.
Care for residents in the new unit is provided through valued partnership between UniversalCare Canada Inc. (UniversalCare) and Mackenzie Health. Through a multidisciplinary team, UniversalCare is able to enhance the level of care and services to residents, as well as provide the required leadership, support, value and partnership to enhance the quality of life of our residents and staff alike.
The designation is also aligned with the organization’s growth strategy and highlights Mackenzie Health’s exceptional reputation in caring for seniors. The new hemodialysis beds are part of a development initiative for Mackenzie Health’s Chronic Disease and Seniors Healthprogram, and it is part of a series of moves to better serve patients and families while increasing access to services for the entire community. It will also allow the hospital to better respond to the increasing number of patients living with kidney disease and who require the exceptional long-term care provided by Mackenzie Health and UniversalCare.
Patients and families interested in applying for placement in the new Specialized Hemodialysis Unit should contact the Central CCAC Community Access Centre (CCAC) at 1 888 470 2222 or at http://healthcareathome.ca/central.
QUOTES
“The designation of the 20 hemodialysis beds is an exciting opportunity for our hospital and the renal community at large. It supports Mackenzie Health’s Chronic Disease and Seniors Strategy and, given that Central LHIN is one of the fastest growing seniors’ populations in the province, it is in line with the needs of our community.”
Treva McCumber, Executive Operations Director, Mackenzie Health
“At UniversalCare, we are proud of the work we completed in collaboration with Mackenzie Health. The coordination between our two organizations was an example of absolute cooperation during the designation process and beyond, and we are excited to continue providing long-term care for our residents – who are also Mackenzie Health patients – in a more efficient manner.”
Joseph Gulizia, President and Chief Executive Officer, UniversalCare
“The 20 additional hemodialysis bedsare an exciting part of a larger plan for smart, sustainable growth as we begin expanding services in anticipation of the future Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital. This specialized unit will enhance our ability to create a world-class health experience for our growing community and will enable us to develop centres of excellence for care.”