Satellite Health Facility to open 30 new beds
Challenges persist for patients who no longer require acute care, but don’t yet have a place in the community, such as convalescent care or long-term care. During the pandemic, Hamilton Health Sciences (HHS) opened the Satellite Health Facility (SHF) to free up acute care beds, while continuing to provide care for patients waiting to leave the hospital.
Now, HHS has received funding to add 30 new beds at the SHF this fall.
“The Satellite Health Facility plays an important role, ensuring acute care beds are available for patients at other HHS sites which consistently operate at greater than 100% occupancy,” says Kelly O’Halloran, director of the Community and Population Health Services Program.
The SHF is a collaboration between HHS and St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton. The SHF is an extension of each hospital, with each hospital’s units staffed by an inter-professional team of health care providers and primary care physicians.
“The staff’s kindness has boosted me when the days feel long.”
HHS will open 12 beds this week, with plans to open the remaining beds in the near future.
Since opening in 2020, the SHF physicians and staff have cared for more than 1,000 patients needing health-care support while awaiting discharge to the community.
A smile and a kind word
Bradley Davidson, patient
Bradley Davidson is one of those patients. The 53-year-old was transferred to the SHF after receiving care for fracturing bones in both his heels falling off a ladder. He has been at the SHF since mid-July and says that the staff and his fellow patients’ support has had a positive effect as he navigates his health journey.
“The facility is clean, organized, and the staff have been helpful during my stay,” he says. “The staff’s kindness has boosted me when the days feel long. It’s difficult not to be able to go home. A smile and a kind word can often alter a person’s outlook on what may seem like a dreary situation.”
Davidson has found that the lasting memories are his connections with other SHF patients.
“Sharing a bit about our situations and lives, creating even short-lived relationships with others is a definite benefit. The kindness of other patients and conversations with them and their families has helped make my stay positive.”
And Davidson has some advice for fellow patients transferred to the SHF: “Rest, recover and rehabilitate for the future. Accept the kindness of others and be kind in turn. The staff at the SHF are here to help and make your stay as comfortable as possible.”
Registered practical nurse Ramon Paolo Matias, registered nurse Jade Ahlyss Pillora, and patient Bradley Davidson at the Satellite Health Facility
Best care possible
As demand for health care services continues to increase, the SHF has provided extended care to patients ready for discharge from acute care while waiting for the support they require in the community.
“As an internationally-educated nurse, working as part of a collaborative team of inter-professional health care providers and physicians has been rewarding and humbling.”
Jade Ahlyss Pillora, registered nurse
“The SHF and Home and Community Care team work with patients and families to determine patients’ care needs post-hospitalization and develop plans,” says registered nurse Jade Ahlyss Pillora, the charge nurse on the SHF second floor.
Ramon Paolo Matias, registered practical nurse
Registered practical nurse at the SHF Ramon Paolo Matias agrees. “It’s important for us to work collaboratively with patients and their families to develop discharge plans that promote autonomy while receiving required supports once they are discharged,” he says. “The best part of working at SHF is seeing patients safely transition back into the community.”
“It’s incredible to be part of the SHF team and deliver safe and high-quality care to patients and their families,” says Matias. “As an internationally-educated nurse, working as part of a collaborative team of inter-professional health care providers and physicians has been rewarding and humbling.”
