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Stettler hospital opens new pharmacy

Second phase of renovations underway
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Diane Palmer, site manager of Stettler Hospital and Care Centre, gave a tour of the hospital on Wednesday. Stettler Mayor Sean Nolles and Leona Thorogood, chair of the Stettler Health Services Foundation, were on the tour. (Photo contributed)

The Stettler Hospital and Care Centre has a new pharmacy to better serve patients.

Work was completed in September as part of the first phase of a $9.3-million renovation project.

Hospital site manager Diane Palmer said the pharmacy was moved to a different area that is brighter and more secure.

“It’s a much larger area that enhances the flow of medication preparation and distribution,” Palmer said about the pharmacy that has almost doubled in size, and has improved climate controls for medication.

She said security has been enhanced by putting the pharmacy behind secure doors and multiple security cameras.

Anyone who isn’t staff has to phone in to be allowed in the pharmacy’s hallway. Even staff must ring a door bell when they reach the entrance.

Other projects in phase one were a new gift shop and slight modifications to the cafeteria.

Related:

Stettler hospital getting $9.3M in renovations

Red Deer hospital experiencing ‘capacity challenges’ this week, says Alberta Health Services

Phase two renovations have already begun that will see labour and delivery suites moved into the space vacated by the pharmacy.

Phase three will begin in the new year and will include emergency department upgrades, and further kitchen and cafeteria enhancements.

“We’re a very busy hospital for a rural hospital. Stettler might be a small town, but we have a big rural area we cover,” Palmer said.

Stettler hospital has 26 beds, but it can grow to 33 when the facility helps Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre out with its day surgeries, she said.

The renovation project was developed following input from 18 stakeholder groups, including physicians, staff and community members.

They reviewed the hospital’s use of space and identified priority areas for improvement.

The Stettler Health Services Foundation raised $250,000 for equipment and furnishings for the labour and delivery suites, and is now focusing on raising about $400,000 to purchase emergency department equipment.



szielinski@reddeeradvocate.com

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