The Government of Nova Scotia will provide $9.8 million to purchase new medical equipment in the province’s hospitals this year.
“These are vital pieces of medical equipment that will improve patient safety and help staff focus on better patient care,” said Health and Wellness Minister Leo Glavine. “New equipment will support patients from across the province and the Maritimes. These purchases aren’t possible without the generous support of our foundations and communities.”
The largest piece of equipment is a Pyxis automated medication system for the Halifax Infirmary site of the QEII Health Sciences Centre. This system makes it faster, safer and more secure to dispense medication. Government will contribute just over $3 million of the total cost with donors from the QEII Foundation supporting the rest.
Nova Scotia Health Authority will also buy a new, $3.6 million anesthesia monitoring system for the QEII Health Sciences Centre. It will allow health-care staff to better monitor patients while they are under general anesthesia or in surgery. Government will contribute $2.7 million toward the monitoring system with donors from the QEII Foundation supporting the rest.
“The equipment being funded by government and the QEII Foundation will support safe and effective care for Nova Soctians at the province’s specialty hospital,” said Allan Horsburgh, chief financial officer, Nova Scotia Health Authority. “A strength of our single health authority is the ability to consider all the capital and equipment needs in the province and prioritize those that will have the greatest impact on the most Nova Scotians.”
A new, state-of-the-art radiology suite at the IWK Health Centre will be set up to help women and children from across the region. It will help patients who need diagnostic imaging, cardiovascular surgery and cardiology procedures. Government will pay just over $2 million of the total $2.7 million cost with donors from the IWK Foundation supporting the rest.
“In addition to the $2.4 million they have contributed for these projects, our donors continue to support other priorities at the QEII,” said Bill Bean, president and CEO of the QEII Foundation. “It is inspiring to know that together we are advancing the delivery of health care for this province.”
Nova Scotia Health Authority and the IWK Health Centre identified these projects as priorities, along with 11 other pieces of medical equipment. The other items include fetal monitors, sterilizers, operating room lights and cardiac monitoring systems. Patients from across the province will benefit from this new equipment.
“We are humbled by the ongoing generosity of our Maritime donors,” said Jennifer Gillivan, president and CEO, IWK Foundation. “Their unwavering commitment to help fund priority equipment for the IWK is critical in providing the care that our patients require and deserve.”
Equipment purchases of more than $1 million require approval from the province. The new equipment will be purchased immediately. Installation dates will vary.
Source: Release