MDRD celebrates renovation completion

By Greg Winson

Staff in the Medical Device Reprocessing Department are celebrating the completion of renovations to their workspace on B1 Cardinal Carter, another milestone in the hospital’s building and renovation project.

The renovations to MDRD were necessary to comply with CSA standards. Many of the machines in the prior space were more than 35 years old and in need of replacement.

“The renovation included the installation of new state-of-the-art equipment and fixtures, such as height-adjustable sinks, hands-free hand wash sinks, automatic washer disinfector, loading and unloading modules and pass-through dryers,” said Stephenie Naugler, manager of the MDRD.

The MDRD staff are enthusiastic about their new workspace.

“You fall in love with the new space as soon as you see it,” said Joanne Mars, a reprocessing technician.

“It’s like going from a dungeon to a garden paradise,” said Jon Ayres, a team leader. “The new work area is bright, with lots of space and great workflow.”

The renovation didn’t come without challenges. There wasn’t space in the hospital for the MDRD unit to continue operations during the renovations, requiring the use of a 900 square-foot trailer parked in a courtyard on Bond St. for 18 months. This trailer encompassed the decontamination, prep and pack and sterilization operations for a facility with more than 14,000 surgical cases a year.

Two years of planning preceded the move into the trailer. Many processes were reworked or streamlined in order to maximize the use of the temporary facility.

It was the second time a mobile unit had been used in Canada for a MDRD facility and the first used at a major trauma centre. MDRD staff had to be very organized and work well together as a team in order to keep up with their workload.

Catherine Hogan, program director, Perioperative Services, credited the MDRD staff in making the operation a success in keeping the hospital stocked with sterile medical devices.

“Your hard work enabled this success,” said Hogan during a staff celebration Jan. 24. “We couldn’t have done it without you.”

About St. Michael’s Hospital

St. Michael’s Hospital provides compassionate care to all who enter its doors. The hospital also provides outstanding medical education to future health care professionals in more than 29 academic disciplines. Critical care and trauma, heart disease, neurosurgery, diabetes, cancer care, care of the homeless and global health are among the Hospital’s recognized areas of expertise. Through the Keenan Research Centre and the Li Ka Shing International Healthcare Education Centre, which make up the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, research and education at St. Michael’s Hospital are recognized and make an impact around the world. Founded in 1892, the hospital is fully affiliated with the University of Toronto.