What does it take to turn an out-of-commission unit at Mount Sinai into a space fit for patient care in 52 days? “Outstanding teamwork, resourcefulness to obtain necessary medical equipment on time, and a shared commitment to deliver our goal,” says Tanya McDonald, Director of Operational Readiness. “The dedication and collaboration I witnessed throughout this project, especially throughout the holiday season, was nothing short of inspirational.”
Last week, we temporarily relocated Mount Sinai’s Express Admission Unit, where we care for short-stay General Internal Medicine patients. “This temporary move will increase our capacity to accommodate an anticipated increase in admissions throughout the flu season, and will improve flow and safety in our Emergency Department,” says Rebecca Ramsden, Interim Senior Director of Urgent and Critical Care.
Despite being only an eight-bed unit, having a successful opening day required expertise from almost all areas in the hospital. Under the leadership of Rebecca and Tanya, a multi-disciplinary team with representatives from the following areas was responsible for pulling this off: Operational Readiness, Corporate Support Services, the Redevelopment Project Office, the Emergency Department, Human Resources, Patient Flow, Infection Control, Occupational Health and Safety, Pharmacy, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Health Disciplines, Medical Imaging, Patient Registration, General Internal Medicine, Biomedical Engineering, Communications, Risk Management, Information Services and Building Services.
The Express Admission Unit will move back to its original location once the flu season is over.
Way to go team!