NEW CARDIAC SERVICES AREA AT RIH TO BE NAMED THE ICCHA/WISH CORONARY CARE UNIT
KAMLOOPS – Patients with serious cardiovascular illness now have access to more specialized cardiac care, thanks to Royal Inland Hospital’s new ICCHA/Wish Coronary Care Unit (CCU).
The new four-bed unit is the latest stage in a multi-year cardiac services plan to enhance cardiac services at Royal Inland Hospital (RIH). Patients in a CCU receive an advanced level of care including continuous monitoring and treatment for a variety of cardiac illnesses.
The CCU represents a capital investment of $1.3 million towards renovation and equipment, jointly funded by the Interior Health, the Thompson Regional Hospital District (TRHD), and RIH Foundation.
“The Thompson Regional Hospital District is proud to support improved cardiac care at Royal Inland Hospital,” said Ken Christian, TRHD Chair. “The TRHD’s $355,000 capital investment represents our partnership contribution toward better outcomes for coronary patients in this region.”
The RIH Foundation has committed $451,000 towards capital equipment for the new CCU.
“On behalf of the Board, staff, and our generous donors, we are pleased to announce the naming of the ICCHA/Wish Fund Coronary Care Unit,” said Heidi Coleman, RIH Foundation CEO. “We are especially grateful to Al Patel and all of the contributors to the ICCHA/Wish Fund this year that also fundraised in support of cardiac equipment for this new unit.”
“Since 2007, with our donor’s support the ICCHA/Wish Fund has raised over $1.4 million for health care excellence at RIH. Over the last two years, $650,000 has been raised specifically for cardiac care. Today we are very excited to be present at the opening of the ICCHA/Wish Coronary Care Unit and look forward to continuing to support ongoing cardiac needs for our region.” said Al Patel, Founder of ICCHA/Wish Fund.
The CCU’s creation was made possible in large part due to the successful recruitment that has seen RIH’s cardiologist complement grow to six specialist physicians.
“I’m confident that we’ll have better retention of our current physicians, and will be able to attract future specialists, because we have a Coronary Care Unit at Royal Inland Hospital.” said Dr. Todd Ring, RIH Chief of Staff.
The Coronary Care Unit is located on the 7th floor at RIH and will officially open to patients on October 1, 2019. Nurses and support staff who will work in the new unit have received specialized cardiac training in order to provide the highest standard of care possible to cardiac patients in our region.
