Working together to build a new ER at the Lachine Hospital

People are incredibly adaptable creatures. We make the best of things. We demonstrate this trait time and again and whether we’re outside in nature or at work—our creativity is always flowing.

This is especially true in hospitals where medical staff often has to get creative in tight spaces. At the Lachine Hospital, teams are looking forward to adapting to a new and improved layout. “We’re going to modernize the ER and increase functionality,” says Malika Cheloufi, Planner, Organizational and Physical Programming, MUHC.

With this in mind, ER staff members, with the help of planners, reviewed current best practices and identified critical flows (patient circulation) in their department, they then agreed upon the types of spaces and adjacencies required to maximize functionality. “We highlighted the following issues: the need for separate traffic flows for patients arriving on foot and patients arriving by ambulance; the necessity of providing tailored spaces to accommodate bariatric and dialysis patients; increased confidentiality; better infection control,” explains Ms. Cheloufi.

The discussions resulted in a functional technical program for a new ER that will streamline patient movement and the delivery of care. “Patients will have a clear circuit to follow. This ensures that medical staff knows where patients are, patients know where to go and care can be delivered efficiently,” says Malika Cheloufi. Other changes include the building of closed stretcher bays, which allow for better infection control and increased confidentiality. 

Our medical professionals will also be able to take advantage of a new pneumatic tube system and a UNIDOSE medication distribution system. “With pneumatic tubes, staff in the ER will be able to get samples directly to the labs quickly, while the UNIDOSE machine gives them immediate access to medication—they will have what they need at their fingertips,” says Ms. Cheloufi.

“The user group overseeing the ER project is excited; they put their hearts into this exercise. They are an exceptionally dedicated and collaborative group and it’s thanks to their efforts that this project will be a success,” says Malika Cheloufi.