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GBGH COVID-19 Response

GBGH has already taken many steps to prepare for the growing pandemic, including establishing the COVID-19 Midland Assessment Centre in partnership with Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care and Chigamik Community Health Centre. We have also cancelled non-urgent procedures, implemented visitor restrictions, and are finalizing thorough plans to re-deploy staff and other resources to critical areas as needed.

In planning for our hospital’s pandemic preparations, we carefully review provincial and regional case projections to determine what we need to continue providing safe, exceptional care in a surge situation.

GBGH’s current capacity includes 6 ICU beds and 4 ventilators.  We are in the process of increasing our Intensive Care Unit (ICU) capacity. We will care for potential COVID patients in our existing ICU and create a separate ICU surge space for non-COVID patients. This means equipping this area with:

• 5 additional beds
• 20 additional IV pumps
• 5 additional patient monitors
• 2 Pyxis machines (locked medication dispensing carts)
• 1 mobile medication cart
• A call bell system (system that links patients to the nursing station)

We are also purchasing an additional mobile medication cart, 30 vital sign monitors to be used in the areas where they are needed most, more personal protective equipment (PPE), and taking measures to support staff wellness.

This critically needed equipment and other initiatives will cost well over one million dollars.

To help support your hospital’s investments to prepare for COVID-19, please click here.

$79,497 raised for ICU Beds on GivingTuesdayNow

On Tuesday, May 5, the Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH) Foundation participated in #GivingTuesdayNow – a new global day of giving and unity as an emergency response to the unprecedented need caused by COVID-19.  Thanks to the generosity of more than 85 donors, and an incredible $30,000 match gift from Donna & Conrad Huber, a total of $79,497 was raised to purchase new ICU beds at GBGH.

“We are excited to be part of a one-day giving event like this,” say Conrad & Donna. “It’s energizing to see the community come together to support GBGH.  We are glad to help ensure our hospital is equipped to provide every patient with the best care.”

Over the past month, GBGH has increased its ICU capacity. The hospital will care for potential COVID-19 patients in the existing ICU and has created a separate five-bed ICU surge space for non-COVID patients.  The beds have been strategically purchased now, as there is a critical need for them across the organization, and will be used to replace old or broken units once the pandemic situation has settled.

“Our Giving Tuesday Now campaign is a great partnership,” says Nicole Kraftscik, executive director, GBGH Foundation. “Our generous donors have shown how committed they are to investing in our hospital, knowing that the hospital is being strategic and the funds we are raising today will continue to have a lasting impact on patient care at GBGH for years to come.”

For more information about GivingTuesdayNow, visit https://gbghf.ca/GTNow/