What is your role at Providence Care? How does your previous experience impact your role in redevelopment?

I have been a Registered Nurse on Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation for 15 years.  My experience in this role provided me with a knowledge base of what is important for our patients and staff. I have seen the benefits of formal therapy and informal therapies and the importance of appropriate spaces to carry these out.  As well as the need for leisure areas where patients can spend time with their families or have quiet time to reflect. I believe my experience has provided me with the ability to speak on their behalf and represent their needs for the future PCH. 
 

Can you speak to the architecture of PCH? Why is the use of natural of light important for patient/client-care?

Natural light is so important for both patients and staff, it has great healing benefits both physically and mentally. Some patients in rehabilitation -- even though they are here with the goal of returning function -- can spend very long amounts of time within the walls of the hospital. This may be because they are on bedrest for medical reasons or simply cannot tolerate being up for long periods of time. It will be so nice for them to have access to natural light in their room and other spaces within the hospital. Research has shown that exposure to natural light has improved healing and decreased length of stay. 

As well for staff, as a nurse that has worked 12 hour shifts some seasons you arrive to work in the dark and go home in the dark, it will be so nice to have exposure to natural light during your work day.
 

Are there any particular features that you're excited for the patients and clients to experience?

I am excited for patients and clients to experience a much more accessible environment than what they are used to.  Due to the age of our current buildings we are sometimes limited to their function, the new building is designed to allow them to be much more independent in their own space which is the ultimate goal of rehabilitation and recovery.

Why do you feel it is important for staff with frontline experience to participate in this process?  

I feel it is very important for frontline staff to participate in this process because we see every day what elements our patients struggle with. As well as for the staff the goal of providing patient-client centered care to meet their goals of rehabilitation and recovery.  It is very important for us to have the opportunity to carry over our legacy and culture of Providence Care.

What is your role at Providence Care? How does your previous experience impact your role in redevelopment?

Currently I am in the role of Allied Clinical Subject Matter Expert for Operational Readiness. My permanent role with Providence Care is as a Physiotherapist for inpatient care at St. Mary's of the Lake. Having worked as a clinician for Providence Care for the last 13 years has provided me with the knowledge of current practices and processes and the lived experience of caring for our patients always with a focus on patient-centered care and best practice. This has allowed me to recognize what will stay the same with the move and what will change.  This role has allowed me to not only bring the allied voice to redevelopment but to help my colleagues adjust and prepare for the changes ahead.
 

Can you speak to the architecture of PCH? Why is the use of natural of light important for patient/client-care?

The design of PCH has done a phenomenal job of bringing natural light into the design, and intentionally incorporating nature and its surroundings into the building.  I believe this will have positive impacts on our patients and clients physical and psychological recovery. I believe it helps connect our patients and clients to the outdoors and can promote a sense of peace and normalization for our longer stay patients and clients and a connection to transitioning into the community for those with us for a shorter stay.
 

Are there any particular features that you're excited for the patients and clients to experience?

There are many features I am excited for our patients and clients to experience.  If I had to pick one I would say the access to all of the outdoor spaces; porches, courtyards, Healing Garden, walking paths, mobility garden. Due to our current designs of our hospitals it is often difficult for some of our patients/clients to get outdoors. Having increased access to the outdoors regardless of what unit or level you are on in PCH is a great opportunity for these patients/clients to access the outdoors helping promote that sense of normalcy and connection to the world outside of the hospital.
 

Why do you feel it is important for staff with frontline experience to participate in this process?  

This hospital is a community. We want to ensure it is a great place for our patients and clients but we should also ensure it is a great place for the staff to work. Change can be scary but it can also be a step towards positive quality improvements. I believe the more frontline staff are involved in discussions, decision making, and planning for the move the less scary the change will be and the more excited and positive the experience will be for all involved. If the staff are excited they then will be better prepared to help our patients and clients with the transition.