Orthopaedic Unit opens inside the Peter Gilgan Patient Care Tower
By Selma Al-Samarrai
This week, the Orthopaedic Inpatient Unit at St. Michael’s Hospital will open in its brand new, permanent space in the 9th floor of the Peter Gilgan Patient Care Tower (PGT). This is the first team to move into its intended space in the tower.
This move is a significant step for the Orthopaedics team which previously operated on two different floors — one half on the 9th floor of the Cardinal Carter South wing, and the other half on the 4th floor in the Bond Wing. Now, with the 4 Bond location moved to 9 PGT, they are in one joint space on the 9th floor.
“Our team is so excited to move into the new tower because of the look and feel of the new space and also because it enables us to be one cohesive team again,” said Shawna Singh, Clinical Leader Manager of the Orthopaedic Inpatient Unit.
“I also believe this new space will help patients in their healing journey. It’s so welcoming, and the large windows, private space and reduction of overhead calling will really benefit our patients.”
The Orthopaedic Inpatient Unit sees patients who require surgery either because of an orthopaedic need such as a hip or knee replacement, or because of an injury. Their care extends beyond surgery to ensure their patients are mobile and comfortable for safe discharge. This work is done by interprofessional team members such as Lisa Buenaventura, an Occupational Therapist who has been with the team for over nine years.
After surgery, she helps patients regain the skills necessary to perform daily activities such as getting dressed or getting into a car, so that patients can be safely discharged. She assesses their skills, trains and practices activities with them, and educates them on areas such as energy management after surgery.
“Being on one level will have a tremendous impact on patient care,” Buenaventura said. “The new space’s increased accessibility features such as wider doorways and entry ways easily allows wheelchairs and mobility aids and this will be much more conducive to the important job of helping our patients mobilize safely post-operatively.”
The new space includes larger private patient rooms and bathrooms, more natural lighting and larger staff areas including a new conference room.
“Although providing world-class orthopaedic care has always been our standard, we are so thrilled to be able to now offer it in this new and healing space,” said Tasha Osborne, Senior Clinical Program Director of Surgery and Critical Care at St. Michael’s.
To date, the floors that have opened in the tower created significant capacity for the critical and acute care of COVID-19 patients and persons under investigation at Unity Health Toronto, and helped address system capacity for the province.
The tower’s lobby and entrance will remain closed, and entry into the open units will be limited to horizontal access from the adjacent hospital wing.
The Peter Gilgan Patient Care Tower is part of the larger St. Michael’s 3.0 redevelopment project. The tower was made possible by Peter Gilgan, the founder and CEO of Mattamy Homes, who made a historic $30 million donation to St. Michael’s, and by Element Fleet Management, who contributed an additional $15 million. A massive thank you to Peter Gilgan, Element Fleet Management, and the many other donors whose generous contributions made the Peter Gilgan Patient Care Tower a reality for Unity Health Toronto’s staff and patients.
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 27 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.
About Unity Health Toronto
Unity Health Toronto, comprised of Providence Healthcare, St. Joseph’s Health Centre and St. Michael’s Hospital, works to advance the health of everyone in our urban communities and beyond. Our health network serves patients, residents and clients across the full spectrum of care, spanning primary care, secondary community care, tertiary and quaternary care services to post-acute through rehabilitation, palliative care and long-term care, while investing in world-class research and education. For more information, visit www.unityhealth.to.