Patient care is said to be improving thanks to renovations and upgrades at the Northern Lights Regional Health Centre (NLRHC).
Valued at $6.3-million, the improvements include upgrading four operating rooms into Minimally Invasive Surgical (MIS) Suites.
Northern Lights Health Foundation (NLHF) Executive Director, Cindy Amerongen, said the creation of the suites and renovations is possible through donations to its Gratitude Campaign.
“This project will fundamentally change how internal surgery is conducted. We hope these new MIS Suites will attract additional specialized surgeons to add capacity for more surgical procedures right here in our local hospital.”
The four-year Gratitude Campaign began in 2016, and raised $16-million for local healthcare initiatives from more than 1000 doctors.
The first two MIS Suites opened on July 18.
Dr. Fauzia Haq Nawaz, an AHS obstetrician and gynecologist, performed the first surgery there which was a gynecologic laparoscopic procedure, a day later.
“These new surgical suites offer an array of unique features, including more floor space for staff and equipment to move around, brighter lighting, state-of-the-art surgical equipment, and all of the equipment you need in one room.”
Dr. Haq Nawaz is the facility medical director at the NLRHC and Willow Square Continuing Care Centre.
Breanne Kinney, the hospital’s director of Patient Care, said the suites are equipped with cutting-edge technology.
“The 4K picture and video quality is a huge asset and something our teams really enjoy. Our surgeons and OR staff have the ability to see the patient’s anatomy and blood vessels more clearly. This ensures our surgeons are more confident in the precision of their cuts and surgical moves than before.”
Upgrades to the remaining MIS Suites and renovations to two other operating rooms at the NLRHC will be phased in over the next few months.
Alberta Health Services said target completion is scheduled for March 2023.
More information on MIS Suites is available on the AHS website.
