Campus Development
In order to improve our services to our patients and provide a better working environment to our staff, St. Mary’s Hospital Center (SMHC) undertook renovations in several areas. On this page, we present some of these projects.
SMHC ER decongestion project
With an average occupancy rate of 158% in 2009-2010, a project to decongest the ER for the benefit of patients and the medical team is currently under review. This project includes the addition of seven stretchers, bringing the total to 22. The new stretchers will provide a better environment for infection control. Confidentiality and privacy of patients will be efficiently assured.
The project also includes the addition of a CT scan in the ER. "Having a CT scan adjacent to the ED will give us more rapid access to advanced diagnostic imaging. This allows the ER to respond more effectively to the critical needs of our patients and will have a positive impact on patient care, safety and flow," says Dr. Rick Mah, chief of the Emergency Department at SMHC.
In addition, this project will include a separate area for patients with mental health problems who need a stretcher, which will provide a better response to their specific needs. Finally, the new facilities will be appropriate to serve as a designated area during a pandemic, with controlled access to the place of care and better conditions for the isolation of these patients.
SMHC improving our campus for patients and staff
In order to better serve our patients and for the well-being of the community, St. Mary's Hospital Center (SMHC) has performed a study for a development 
project, which will involve construction on the south and west sides of the hospital. This will include the two following phases: The decongestion of the Emergency Department, in Pavilion A, on the south side (Jean-Brillant Street); The addition of two floors in Pavilion D, on the west side (Légaré Street).
To this effect, St. Mary’s Hospital Center offered two information sessions to residents of the neighborhood on March 21, 2011 and March 28, 2011. Additionally, a public consultation meeting was held on April 4, 2011, by the Côte-des-Neiges- Notre-Dame-de-Grâce Borough Council.
This is good news for St. Mary's Hospital who have been waiting for the addition of these two floors since 1968. Over all, questions about our project form those who were present at the various sessions were pertinent and the overall the project was very well received.
Pictured above, from left to right, Richard Brisson, Director of facilities and Projects Management, Arvind K. Joshi, Director General and Chief Executive Officer and Ralph Dadoun, Vice President of Corporate and Support Services presented the project and answered questions from residents at the SMHC information sessions.
For more information, call SMHC Public Relations Services at: 514-734-2665 or send an e-mail to: pubcom.stmary@ssss.gouv.qc.ca
SMHC continues its green initiative with the Allégo program
St. Mary’s Hospital Center is constantly looking for ways to improve the hospital environment for its staff, physicians, volunteers, patients and community. After receiving the EcoLogo Environmental Stewardship Award, we have embarked on yet another green initiative, the Allégo program. This program, initiated by the Agence métropolitaine de transport (AMT), aims to promote the use of sustainable modes of transportation (public transit, active transportation like biking or walking, carpooling, etc.).
The objectives of the Allégo program are to facilitate and improve accessibility to the hospital for our employees, volunteers, patients and our community; to find alternative means of transportation and reduce single occupant vehicular use; to allow SMHC to continue its green initiative by reducing the greenhouse gases in our environment, and to help reduce traffic congestion around SMHC.
SMHC has a new state-of-the-art dialysis unit
Just in time for National Kidney Month, SMHC has officially inaugurated its new dialysis unit. After two years of renovation, and a total budget of $5.5 M, this new unit will allow patients to benefit from the most rigorous quality standards of care. This state-of-the-art project was co-funded by the Quebec Ministry of Health and Social Services for $4.8 M and by the SMHC Foundation for $700,000.
“As a result of the major renovations our unit underwent in the past two years, we are now able to offer services in renal replacement that meet the highest technical standards of medical practice guidelines”, declares the Director of Nephrology, Dr. Johana Eid, to members of the media.
The new dialysis unit of SMHC is divided into three distinct areas:
1. the central area with a total of 24 hemodialysis stations. It is divided into a main room with 19 individual treatment stations, including two isolation rooms and an adjacent self-care room with five semiautonomous stations. Both of these rooms are equipped with a new central distribution system of bicarbonate for a direct supply to the dialysis machines;
2. a peritoneal dialysis clinic (to follow-up with patients who do peritoneal dialysis, a form of dialysis done daily at home);
3. a renal protection clinic (for the education and the multidisciplinary follow-up of patients with advanced kidney failure). The project also includes a procedure room, as well as conference and meeting rooms.
Roofs replacement at SMHC
The re-roofing program at St. Mary’s Hospital Center began in 2005 and should be completed in 2011. When completed, it will have contributed to the remake of forty roof basins, an area of approximately 75,000 square feet, or 70% of the total surface. These new roofs are made of PVC membrane. This installation requires the removal of the old roof down to the structure. Once completed, we will proceed with re-insulation to current standards to minimize energy losses.
Unlike tar, PVC membrane emits no odor, therefore does not affect patients’ health. In addition, it offers good resistance to UV, ozone and weather extremes. This membrane is also extremely durable because its expected longevity is 30 years and over, unlike 15 or 20 years maximum with tar roofing.
Thus these new PVC membrane roofs represent an economical and ecological choice of energy saving. All these improvements contribute to the welfare of CHSM employees, patients and their families.
The new reception desk at the Surgical Day Centre
The surgical day reception area, located on the second floor of the main building, was refurbished to add an additional window for a second receptionist. For this project, the work spaces have been reorganized. Moreover, the furniture was tailored to meet the needs of staff. The work environment is now more ergonomic and comfortable.
"My job is made easier since the renovations of the reception desk. For example, I have more privacy, which adds to confidentiality when handling patient records. I would like to thank Waheb Sehili and Richard Brisson from Facilities and Project Management for their excellent work," says Ida Manago, receptionist, who has been working at SMHC for 24 years.
The new elevators of the main building
After many years of loyal service, the elevators of the main building were in need of replacement because they were the oldest in the hospital. One of them was even a real antique dating from 1937!
Work started in May 2008 and should be completed by the Holidays. They include the installation of four new stainless steel booths equipped with state of the art control boards made in Québec, as well as renovations to the engines and the winches.
In addition to providing energy savings and greater reliability, these new devices will contribute to the comfort and safety of patients, staff and visitors of St. Mary’s Hospital Center.
The central admission and registration desk and the patient accounts counter
First step of a hospital stay for many patients, the central admissions and registration desks have been redeveloped. With better ergonomics and more storage space for employees, opaque glass between work stations improves the confidentiality between patients. Natural daylight brightens the area through solar window shades.
At the patient accounts counter, in addition to a new waiting room, two separate counters have been added on the visitors side. These allow more privacy, which improves the handling of patient records.
"I love my new workspace. It is practical and warm," says Angie Riggi, Admission Clerk.
The physiotherapists’ workroom
The physiotherapists’ workroom, located in the basement (B-282), has been renovated and refurbished. The new open space concept now includes 15 work stations laidout around the room. New work plans, cabinets, as well as an information board, have been added. The area is now more spacious, modern and warm.
"I really love the colors of the cabinets and work tables. I enjoy working in this new environment. It is clean and well lit,” said Sena Thomas, physiotherapist.
Inauguration of the renovated pharmacy
The official inauguration of the renovated pharmacy of St. Mary's Hospital Center took place with a wine and cheese reception. The renovations include the installation of state of the art equipment like a trolley for the exchange of medication from the SARDM project, two new fridges and ergonomic work stations.
With these renovations the pharmacy of St. Mary's Hospital Center now has state of the art technology.
These renovations were made possible thanks to the financial support of the Ministry of Health and Social Services, the Montreal Health and Social Services Agency (SARDM project), and of the following pharmaceutical companies: Bayer, Boehringer, Hospira, Janssen, Merck Frosst, Novartis, Nycomed, Pfizer and Roche.
New transformers in the main building
The two new transformers in the main building are made in Granby Québec by Delta. They are dry-type 750 ampere devices that are more efficient and environmentally friendly because they do not contain PCB.
