Mediclinic Pietermaritzburg
Mediclinic was established in central Pietermaritzburg in 1989 . In 2015 the hospital underwent a major R213 million upgrade and expansion , where existing facilities were enhanced by an investment of R78 million and R135 million was spent on new additions to the hospital . A total of 95 beds were added during the expansion to the day ward , high-care and intensive care unit ( ICU ), and the number of paediatric beds was almost doubled . “ There was pressure on bed availability in the city ,” says Reshnee Beekrum , Patient Experience Manager for Mediclinic . “ For many years our patients needed to be transferred to hospitals in Durban . There was a pressing need for paediatric , intensive-care and high-care beds in the city , and the cardiac discipline was identified as a need too .” The subsequent expansion has resulted in Mediclinic Pietermaritzburg now employing in excess of 500 staff members , with almost 400 of these employees practising in the nursing field . Specialised , skilled and experienced staff were also recruited for the catheterization laboratory ( cath lab ), cardiothoracic theatre , cardiothoracic intensive care , and neonatal intensive care unit ( NICU ), and additional clinical facilitators , as well as learning and development consultants , were employed . Today , Mediclinic Pietermaritzburg ’ s cardiothoracic specialised facilities include a dedicated cardiac-thoracic theatre , cath lab , cardiac unit , and cardiac ICU , which provide access to expert quality care in cardiothoracic diagnostics and intervention , as well as openheart surgery . Other specialist care at the hospital includes paediatric surgery , neonatal intensive care , head and neck surgery , general surgery , and orthopaedic and neuro-surgery . The hospital receives patients from referring doctors and hospitals in the KwaZulu- Natal Midlands up to the Newcastle and Kokstad catchment areas , and Mediclinic Pietermaritzburg wants to establish itself as the preferral hospital in Pietermaritzburg and the KZN Midlands , says Henk Laskey , Hospital General Manager . “ Mediclinic Pietermaritzburg is accessible , and boasts a multi-disciplinary team of experts with state-of-the-art services and facilities ,” says Beekrum . “ The cardio-thoracic discipline has differentiated the hospital to be preferred locally and respected internationally . A heli-pad for airlifting of patients and receiving of helicopters for emergency medical transport allows quick and efficient transfer of trauma patients , while the layout of the emergency centre , theatres , cath lab , cardiac and general ICUs allows for the quick transfer of patients .”
Tranquil courtyards and gardens at the hospital further add to the therapeutic environment for patients , says Beekrum . As part of a respected international hospital group with hospitals in South Africa , the United Arab Emirates and Switzerland , Mediclinic Pietermaritzburg is attractive to healthcare professionals , says Laskey . “ Pietermaritzburg ’ s location between the ‘ Berg and the beach is ideal for those seeking the best of both worlds . The city is renowned for hosting sporting events that attract international participation and attention , and the city and the KZN Midlands have the added advantage of excellent schools .” Attractive employee benefits at Mediclinic Pietermaritzburg include a nursing and pharmacist bonus , generous leave , and a guaranteed thirteenth cheque . This results in a low staff turnover rate and an engaged workforce , as measured independently by Gallup , Lasky concludes .
The significant capital investment at Mediclinic Pietermaritzburg has resulted in a number of acquisitions , including :
• A state-of-the-art hybrid catheterization laboratory ( cath lab ), which has the advantage of the traditional diagnostic functions of a cath lab as well as the added benefit of the surgical functions of an operating room . It is no longer necessary to move a patient from one procedure room to another .
• An ECMO ( extracorporeal membrane oxygenation ) machine , which can be moved for continuous use on patients . This specialised machine provides cardiac and respiratory support for patients whose heart and lungs are unable to provide an adequate amount of gas exchange to sustain life .
• CritiCool brain cooling system . This system is used in neurological cases such as with seizures or near-drownings , where the body is cooled to bring down brain temperature and prevent brain damage .
• VeinViewer , which improves intravenous access on patients who require intravenous therapy .
• Fast Scan ( focused assessment with sonography for trauma ) is a new ultrasound diagnostic tool available in the Mediclinic emergency centre and obstetric unit that allows rapid bedside ultrasound examination .
• Oxylog , which provides continuous and uninterrupted cardiac monitoring and recording of a patient ’ s vital signs .
• CPAP ventilator , a non-invasive and more patient-friendly ventilator that helps a patient to breathe .
• The Giraffe incubator in Mediclinic ’ s NICU is a protected environment for newborn babies and neonates that helps promote fast healing and optimal neurodevelopment .
• SLAVE monitoring in the Emergency Centre facilitates patient monitoring from a central point .
• Broselow paediatric emergency trolley , which has drawers that are colour-coded according to age and weight algorithms for efficient and effective resuscitation .
Capital | Issue 2 | 19 .