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ON THE COVER
Below: Maheera was the first patient transferred to the new hospital.
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First Patient Day
September 29, 2019 marked a historic day for maternal and pediatric health care in Saskatchewan, as the very first maternal and pediatric patients of Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital moved into the brand new facility.
After years of designing, building, planning and preparation, the 176-bed hospital represents a new chapter in maternal and pediatric care, offering state-of-the-art equipment and modern facilities for children, mothers and families from across our province. The big patient move for maternal and pediatric services was completed in approximately four hours, with 112 maternal and pediatric patients transferred into their new rooms.
Around 7:00 a.m., the excitement began to grow in the former Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), as the wheels started turning on little Maheera’s bed. The two-year-old was the very first patient to be moved into Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital where she continued to recover from pneumonia in the new 18-bed PICU. Shortly after, Willow and her parents, Sarah and Cory from Saskatoon, moved into the new Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Willow was born 14 weeks premature on Sept. 2 and was in the previous NICU, where she, along with other babies were cared for in side-by-side open bays. After the family was settled into their new private room, Sarah held her almost one month-old daughter for only the fourth time ever.
“All of the staff in the NICU are amazing and were always ...continued on page 12
Right: Willow moved into the new NICU on the fourth floor, which opened with 44 bassinets.
Below: The big patient move was completed by 11:31 a.m. – three minutes ahead of schedule.
Left: Patients like Nash were transferred from the previous facility to JPCH by a connecting corridor.
accommodating to make space for us and help us to still feel like parents in a very busy environment, but this extra space and privacy will help us all be a bit more relaxed in a very stressful situation,” Sarah said. Meanwhile, three-year-old Nash was soaking up every bit of his new surroundings. “I love it,” he exclaimed as he made the move into his room in the new 45-bed Pediatric Inpatient Unit. Nash has already spent his fair share of time in hospital, after being diagnosed with a brain tumour last December. Just days later, he underwent surgery and most of the tumour was removed. Nash was able to go home to Macklin later that same day following the transfer, after his chemotherapy treatment in the new hospital. “We are really looking forward to the new rooms, and also the play centres and the theatre. I think Nash will have a lot of fun with those,” said Nikki, Nash’s mom. Once the doors to the new children’s and maternal hospital opened, it didn’t take long for babies to begin arriving. The first new maternal patient arrived at Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital at 8:45 a.m., and the first baby born was delivered at 2:32 p.m. “It’s exciting, to be moving into the new hospital and delivering care under our new model, which provides mothers and their newborns with a single room and a private space that can accommodate their specific care needs,” said obstetrician Dr. Jocelyne Martel, Clinical Head of Obstetrics. Postpartum patients were also transferred to the new hospital. Newborn Ellie and her parents, Meaghan and Spencer, were one of the last families to be moved from the previous unit, into one of the 65 private patient rooms in the new Mosaic Maternal Care Centre. “The move to the new hospital was such a magical experience. We had someone waiting for us and greeting us at every corner and entrance. The nurses and team were all so emotional, it was hard to not tear up. Seeing all the emotions of the doctors and nurses just shows how much they care,” Meaghan said.
The new children’s emergency located on the ground floor of the hospital also opened at 6:00 a.m., with the first patient, a child needing emergency care, entering the hospital at 6:10 a.m. “We had a busy day, but everything went extremely well in terms of transitioning from the former space to the new,” said Dr. Ron Siemens, interim provincial head of pediatrics, and a pediatric emergency physician. “I really feel the design, space and technology will benefit everyone in the city and in the province who need care now and in the years to come.” The new hospital offers neonatal intensive care, pediatric intensive care, general pediatrics, children’s emergency, pediatric surgery and outpatient care. Maternal services include labour and delivery, antepartum and postpartum care, as well as an outpatient clinic. We are really looking forward to the new rooms, and also the play centres and the theatre.
Right: Three-year-old Nash and Brynn Boback-Lane celebrate the move.
Bottom Left: Emmet and his family moved into the new Pediatric Inpatient Unit on the second floor.
Bottom Right: Newborn Ellie and her parents enjoying their private patient room.
“The opening of Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital marks a dream more than two decades in the making finally coming true,” said Brynn Boback-Lane, President and CEO of Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation. “This historic milestone means the start of a new era of care for Saskatchewan families. Words cannot adequately express our heartfelt appreciation for the time and funds that made this possible; this project truly represents how Saskatchewan people come together. A new and exciting chapter has begun.”
P a t i e n t M o v e D a y H i g h l i g h t s 1. 112 maternal and pediatric patients were safely and successfully moved 2. Every 3 minutes, another patient transport started 3. Each patient received a handmade blanket from Irene Dubé 4. The first baby born at the new hospital was delivered at 2:32 p.m. 4
