At Burnaby Hospital, preparations are underway as the first patient day in the newly constructed buildings approaches this spring.

Approximately 90 patients will be transferred on the day to units opening in the new Health Care Pavilion and expanded Support Facilities Building, including the Maternity Unit, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and Emergency Department. Teams are fine-tuning patient transfer protocols that will support comfort and safety while limiting disruption for the people we care for and their loved ones.

In December, teams held ‘mock moves’—simulation exercises used to explore different patient scenarios, coordinate staff responsibilities and test routes.

This exercise created a space for reflecting on key learnings and developing strategies for improving the patient experience. This included recording patient transfer times so that teams could plan and test quicker routes to improve patient safety while being relocated.

Janell Josephs, clinical nurse educator, said the mock moves gave teams practical ideas such as drawing patients’ laboratory samples earlier than usual to accommodate the move schedule.

They also reinforced the important role of communication. “Our discussions brought forward the need to ensure clear communication with patients’ essential care partners so they’re aware of what’s happening with their loved ones.”