Upgraded patient care areas opening at Royal Inland Hospital

Afternoon Auxiliary to the Royal Inland Hospital (RIH) Post Anesthetic Recovery (PAR)

The new PAR unit was named after the RIH Afternoon Auxiliary for its contribution. The PAR unit is on level four of the main building for seamless access from the operating rooms of the Phil and Jennie Gaglardi Tower.

New features include:

• a new design that meets modern clinical and infection prevention and control standards;
• an optimized layout for efficiency and flow;
• increased capacity for patient care (from 16 to 26 recovery bays);
• two single-patient recovery rooms for patients requiring higher levels of infection control and specialized care;
• latest cardiac-monitoring technology;
• doubling of work and support areas for the care team; and
• dedicated shared workspaces for anesthesiologists and surgeons.

Pediatric Unit

The pediatric unit is filled with elements to spark joy, with bright and colourful spaces and interactive wall-mounted toys in the waiting area.

The renovated space comes with:

• nine single inpatient rooms, including one negative-pressure isolation room to contain airborne illnesses. Each individual patient room comes with a unique design and colour scheme, its own private bathroom and shower, and amenities for adult caregivers (e.g., a sleeper chair set in a peaceful, quiet nook and a wall-mounted desk);
• three clinic rooms for outpatients; and
• dedicated observation alcoves and specialized spaces (e.g., interventional procedure room, milk preparation room) placed outside of patient rooms for added privacy and comfort.

Teck Emergency Department Entrance, Triage and Minor Treatment Area

Previously, patients would go through one of two triage rooms to begin their care, and there was only one waiting area for everyone.

Patient and staff experiences will be transformed after the first phase of the new Teck Emergency Department (ED) is complete this fall, which will feature:

• a new bright and welcoming entrance;
• four triage rooms (doubling previous capacity of two rooms);
• a protection-services office adjacent to entrance and triage area;
• separate internal and external waiting areas;
• a new minor treatment area (for emergencies that require prompt attention, but do not pose an immediate threat to life), including 14 exam rooms with glass doors to enhance privacy and infection control, six exam chairs, 14 treatment chairs and three care initiation rooms; and
• innovative antimicrobial copper surfaces and equipment that greatly reduce infection risks from high-touch areas.

The Teck ED will also increase care capacity with six ambulance stretcher bays and equipment for BC Health Emergency Services staff to facilitate fast, safe and efficient transport of patients from ambulances.

Following the initial opening, the Teck ED will progress in three more stages:

1. a new mental-health and substance-use care area and a portion of the new acute treatment zone (summer 2025);
2. remainder of new acute treatment zone (spring 2026); and
3. new trauma and resuscitation zone (fall 2026).

Mike O’Reilly, board chair, Thompson Regional Hospital District –

“People in our region rely on Royal Inland Hospital for specialized, tertiary-level care, and they deserve quality care in a modern space. Our board is pleased to see these upgrades coming to life, which ultimately will lead to better health outcomes for more patients.”

Heidi Coleman, CEO, Royal Inland Hospital Foundation –

“Through generous contributions from the community, the RIH Foundation was able to support these new units, ensuring each room is fitted with essential specialized equipment and comfort essentials. We understand the importance of transforming these clinical environments to feel like a warm and welcoming place, conducive to healing. Caring for our community’s patients is a meaningful investment for generations to come.”

Dr. Anise Barton, perioperative medical director, Royal Inland Hospital –

“The new post-anesthetic recovery space and equipment will enhance post-operative care at our hospital, which can reduce risks of complications and improve efficiency as we expand and open more operating rooms.”

Dr. Denise Chapple, pediatrics department head, Royal Inland Hospital –

“Pediatric patients have unique needs for their environment, care approaches and treatment compared to adults. We are thrilled to provide specialized care for young patients in a new space purposefully built for their care and developmental needs.”

Dr. Alan Vukusic, emergency department head and medical director, Royal Inland Hospital –

“Having the capacity to address the emergent health needs of our patients in an efficient, safe, private and comfortable way is important to us. Our greatly expanded triage and treatment areas will allow us to effectively assess and direct patients to internal waiting rooms near specialized clinical zones, which are designed and built to deliver the right care in the right place.”

Jonathan Price, president and CEO, Teck –

“Teck is committed to supporting communities and people where we operate, and we are proud to have provided $2.5 million toward the hospital’s new emergency department to enhance patient care at Royal Inland Hospital. The new emergency department also includes antimicrobial copper surfaces to help protect patients and health-care workers using this facility.”

Charlene Longdo, president, Afternoon Auxiliary to Royal Inland Hospital –

“We are thrilled to support the post-anesthetic recovery – a unit so devoted to patient comfort and healing. Some of our members have experienced first hand the kindness, compassion and expertise of staff in the previous unit. We are deeply inspired by this exemplary care and hope that our support would contribute to a comfortable and reassuring start to every patient’s recovery journey.”