May 3, 2024
LAC LA BICHE - A renovated and upgraded medical device reprocessing area at the William J. Cadzow-Lac La Biche Healthcare Centre is improving healthcare services for staff and patients in Lac La Biche and surrounding communities.
Medical device reprocessing is a process carried out on a used medical device that allows its safe reuse. The renovations further ensure medical devices used at the health centre are cleaned and sterilized properly, reducing the risk and spread of infections caused by viruses and other threats to staff and patients. Without a functional medical device reprocessing area, healthcare programs such emergency departments, obstetrics, endoscopy and surgery could not operate.
Approximately $1.4 million in funding from the Government of Alberta’s Infrastructure Maintenance Program and $3.2 million from the federal government’s Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP) were put towards upgrading the area.
“Renovation projects are vital to modernizing healthcare facilities,” says Adriana LaGrange, Alberta Minister of Health. “Upgrades to rural facilities, such as this one, helps to ensure the best and safest healthcare services possible are offered in all areas of the province.”
“This investment in the William J. Cadzow-Lac La Biche Healthcare Centre will ensure residents continue to receive high-quality care for years to come,” adds Brian Jean, Minister of Energy and Minerals, and MLA for Fort McMurray-Lac La Biche. “The newly renovated area will not only ensure safe patient care for current programs but can support further growth of programs at the site.”
The renovated area includes new state-of-the-art sterilizers, two washer disinfectors, ergonomic workstations and a high-efficiency endoscope disinfector.
“This new state-of-the-art medical device reprocessing area is a great addition to the healthcare centre and will significantly enhance patient care and sustainability,” says Stacy Greening, Chief Zone Officer with AHS North Zone.
The local medical device reprocessing area is a hub for reprocessing surgical and minor procedure instrumentation for Athabasca Healthcare Centre, Smoky Lake Healthcare Centre and Boyle Healthcare Centre. Additionally, the local medical device reprocessing area provides reprocessing for the critical endoscopy program within the Lac La Biche Healthcare Centre.
Alberta Health Services is the provincial health authority responsible for planning and delivering health supports and services for more than four million adults and children living in Alberta. Our mission is to provide a patient-focused, quality health system that is accessible and sustainable for all Albertans. Our current focus is on reducing emergency department wait times, improving EMS response times, increasing access to surgeries, and improving patient flow.
