Sault Area Hospital

operational

Opportunity Health care services in Sault Ste. Marie and Algoma Region were provided by the Plummer Memorial Hospital and Sault Ste. Marie Hospital, both of which last had major renovations in the early 1960s. In order to generate operational efficiencies, increase capacity and ensure the most modern medical care the two hospitals were consolidated onto one site to create the new Sault Area Hospital (SAH). Innovations At the time of substantial completion SAH made a one-time payment to the private partner followed by monthly service payments, incentivizing the private partner to complete construction on-time and on-budget. Results The new hospital is approximately 583,000 square feet with a capacity of 289 beds— 20 per cent larger than the two previous sites combined. Substantial completion was achieved on-time and on-budget. The new emergency room is now double the size of the previous two sites combined. For the first time radiation therapy is being offered in the community ensuring more than 100,000 residents of Sault Ste. Marie and Algoma have access to life-saving cancer care close to home. Approximately 50 per cent of the medical/surgical beds are in private rooms, providing better infection control, more privacy and a better healing environment. Dedicated handwashing sinks in all patient rooms and clinical areas, dedicated clean and dirty service elevators, and negative pressure rooms throughout the hospital contribute to better infectious disease management. The hospital features large windows and natural light throughout while three landscaped courtyards provide patients with outdoor space. Approximately 2,500 staff, physicians and volunteers work at the new hospital. The hospital is located on a site with room for future expansion and is also close to long-term care facilities. Approximately $105 million in salaries were paid out over the duration of the construction project.

High