Alberta Health Services (AHS) announced Aug. 24, it’s opening eight new transition beds at Ponoka Hospital and Care Centre.
Patients from acute care hospitals throughout central Alberta will be transferred to Ponoka to “an environment that feels like home” stated AHS.
“Transition beds will provide medically stable clients who require additional time to recover from their acute illness, or an assessment before transitioning to a supportive living or long-term care environment in their community, with a safe and comfortable place to recover in Ponoka.”
The additional beds at the Ponoka hospital will assist patients going through a major life transition by “getting them in the right place for the right care when they need it,” said Martin Long, Parliamentary secretary for Rural Health.
Clients in transition beds will receive 24/7 personal or medical support in Ponoka before they return to community living, helping to prevent infection and physical de-conditioning, while promoting client independence and maintaining social interactions, said AHS.
“We are excited to get beds into circulation that will improve patient flow through hospitals throughout the region and reduce the length of stay for clients in acute care who no longer require acute care services,” said Janice Stewart, chief zone officer, AHS central zone.
The new transition beds are expected to open in early fall and will support other acute care hospitals throughout central zone.