EKRH ICU/Electrical/Pediatrics Project Update

ICU/Electrical Redevelopment

Interior Health is entering the home stretch on a new intensive care unit (ICU) and major electrical upgrades to East Kootenay Regional Hospital in Cranbrook.

The new building structure for the ICU and electrical equipment is complete and the brick work, windows, roof and other exterior building components are nearly complete, with the final connections with the existing hospital now almost complete. The interior finishing is well underway with the ceilings, doors, glass and painting on track for completion in August. The exterior ground work has begun and rough grading will be complete soon, followed by the paving and landscaping which will include grass for most areas and a line of street trees along 24th Ave N.

The major electrical has all been installed and final connections will be completed late this summer. The commissioning and the connection of the existing hospital to the new electrical system will continue through the fall.

Work will continue on site from approximately 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. throughout the summer, and the public can expect periodic interruptions to normal traffic patterns during construction. Interior Health is working with the project contractor to minimize these impacts and appreciates the ongoing patience of local residents and visitors to the hospital as these major improvements to EKRH move forward.

Pediatric Redevelopment

Last October, Interior Health announced the creation of a new pediatric unit for the hospital which would be based in the current ICU space once the new ICU is completed. The estimated cost of this redevelopment is approximately $750,000 with detailed design work expected to start this fall.

Currently, pediatric and maternity/neo-natal services are located on separate floors of the hospital. While the full scope of the project providing renovated spaces for pediatrics is yet to be complete, planning has started with a goal to create an enhanced environment for these young patients, their families, and the staff and physicians providing care. The new pediatric unit will be adjacent to the existing maternity/neo-natal unit, bringing all of these services into one area of EKRH.

ICU Equipment Campaign

Thanks to public donations and gifts received from regional auxiliaries (approximately $450,000 from the Cranbrook Health Care Auxiliary, $90,000 from the Kimberley Health Care Auxiliary, and $50,000 from the Invermere Health Care Auxiliary), efforts to raise funds for new ICU equipment are steadily moving closer to the $1 million total goal. East Kootenay Foundation for Health continues to focus its efforts on this important work and hopes to see the fundraising goal achieved upon completion of two signature fundraising events this fall.  For more information about upcoming Foundation events or to donate, go to www.ekfh.ca.

ICU/Electrical Project Background:

The approximate total project cost of the redevelopment project at EKRH is $20 million. Funding is provided by the Province, Kootenay East Regional Hospital District and East Kootenay Foundation for Health, which is contributing towards the clinical equipment.

The new ICU unit will replace the current four-bed unit and feature two additional high-acuity beds, which will address current and future needs. The integrated design includes a 787 square-metre (approximately 8,470 square-feet) addition on the northeast side of the existing hospital. The size and design of the new ICU will provide for an improved work environment for physicians and staff, and added privacy for patients and their visitors. The enhanced care environment for patients will feature integrated family spaces and maximized natural light.

The project also includes a significant electrical upgrade at the facility. The new electrical system will improve the power supply to the entire hospital, optimize the electrical system performance and allow capacity to expand for future power needs. The electrical infrastructure will be located in the basement of the new addition.

Lark Projects Ltd. is the contractor overseeing the project, with full project completion anticipated for mid-2016.