CAPITAL: The Voice of Business Issue 2, 2016 | Page 23

Dr Michael Ford with the Medtronic StealthStation Neuro Navigation System at Netcare St Anne ’ s Hospital . This advanced planning instrument with tracking and visualization system is used mainly in neurosurgery and spinal surgery , as well as ear , nose and throat ( ENT ) surgery . The StealthStation technology works in a similar way to a GPS ( global positioning system ) in that it allows surgeons to clearly visualize human anatomy during surgery and accurately navigate surgical instruments to the precise target destination . It improves accuracy , resulting in safer , shorter surgery times and less invasive procedures , with a reduced risk of infection and complications .
Netcare St Anne ’ s Hospital
Netcare St Anne ’ s Hospital in Pietermaritzburg , which employs around 650 people , has undergone numerous impressive upgrades over the years . Recently , it was expanded and upgraded again and now offers “ a combination of highly skilled specialists , outstanding nursing care and the most sophisticated equipment ”, says Hospital General Manager Louis Joubert . The hospital has numerous specialised departments , including a new 16-bed highcare unit and a dedicated critical care cardiac ward that has diagnostic equipment and treatment tools , including a cardiac catheterisation laboratory for efficiently treating cardiac conditions . When the hospital moved from its original century-old premises in upper Jabu Ndlovu Street to its present site in Burger Street in 1990 , Netcare St Anne ’ s Hospital opened with 88 beds . Later it expanded to 200 beds and now it is able to accommodate 254 patients . The first phase of expansion began in 2010 , when the hospital ’ s ICU ( intensive care unit ) underwent a total upgrade , and had additional dialysis points installed . This was followed by an even larger upgrade to the hospital ’ s paediatric ward , which increased the number of beds from 10 to 15 in response to the increasing number of paediatric admissions . Seven isolation beds are now accommodated in the paediatric ward , and the environment in the ward has a more holistic approach to the nursing environment , relieving parents and children of much stress , says Nursing Manager Ashika Norman . In June 2013 the hospital underwent its biggest upgrade and expansion to date , when it enhanced its medical , surgical and operating theatre facilities , technology and equipment .
The expansion was as a result of growing demand for Netcare St Anne ’ s Hospital ’ s services . “ The demand for emergency services has increased in recent years and the emergency department has been trebled in size to accommodate this ,” says Mr Joubert . The hospital ’ s new emergency department opened its doors in August 2015 , with additional staff members skilled in resuscitation and highlevel trauma treatment appointed to strengthen the existing emergency department . The new facility includes eight examination bays and two resuscitation bays , and a dedicated room where procedures are performed under local anaesthetic . A special sexual assault centre has been designed as a private and selfcontained unit with an en-suite bathroom . “ The emergency department at Netcare St Anne ’ s Hospital has been one of the two supporting hospitals for the world-famous Comrades Ultra-Marathon for over 25 years ,” says Irene Jones , manager of the emergency department . “ It has grown from strength to strength and is now in a better position to help those in need of urgent medical assistance .” In May 2015 , new medical and surgical wards , as well as a high-care unit , were added to the hospital . The 16-bed maternity unit was refurbished at the same time , offering a refined and comprehensive service for mothers and babies that includes breastfeeding assistance , postnatal care and specialised care in the hospital ’ s neonatal intensive care unit ( NICU ). “ These facilities are fitted with state-of-theart technology and equipment , with highly skilled and experienced nurses and medical specialists on hand to help take care of patients ’ every step on the exciting journey to parenthood ,” says Sr Shanila Moodley , Unit Manager for maternity . Joubert says the hospital ’ s NICU is held in high esteem across the province . “ We specialise in the care of microprem and critically ill neonates , and parents can take comfort in the knowledge that the unit is fully equipped to treat severe respiratory conditions in neonates ,” he says . “ Our NICU achieves excellent outcomes in the area of neonatal care of premature and underweight babies .” Netcare St Anne ’ s caesarean theatre , delivery rooms and NICU are situated together in a selfcontained unit so that all medical situations can be rapidly responded to , should the need arise . The upgraded maternity amenities not only facilitate bonding between parents and baby , but have also been purpose-designed for maximum efficiency , security of patients , and infection prevention , says Sr Moodley . “ Our spacious private rooms with en-suite bathrooms provide a comfortable and tranquil environment for mother and baby ,” she says . The unit is complemented by a fully fledged Netcare Stork ’ s Nest mother and baby wellness clinic , which offers antenatal classes , 4D scans , breastfeeding advice , education classes , developmental milestone monitoring , and guidance and support . Netcare Education ’ s Faculty of Nursing and Ancillary Healthcare ( FNAH ) and Faculty of Emergency and Critical Care ( FECC ) each have a campus in Umhlanga , where basic and postbasic nursing training programmes , various paramedic training programmes , as well as first-aid training programmes are offered . The investment in Netcare St Anne ’ s Hospital in Pietermaritzburg is estimated to be around R137 million .
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