Timmins, ON, Friday, March 5, 2010, the Timmins and District Hospital (T&DH) Pharmacy Department implemented a Unit Dose Drug Distribution System.

The Unit Dose Drug Distribution System is capable of packaging daily fills of patients\' medications by interfacing with the pharmacy computer system. It can house 350 different medications and packages at a speed of 60 medications per minute. The system supply\'s every tablet or capsule in an individual package labeled with the name, strength, lot number, expiry and barcode of the drug. This system was developed to support nurses in medication administration and to reduce the waste of increasingly expensive medications.

Studies have demonstrated that Unit Dose System reduces the risk of medication errors and saves nursing time. In addition, this system is highly regarded by the Institute for Safe Medication Practices and Accreditation Canada.

According to a 2005 - 2006 Hospital Pharmacy in Canada Report, 70% of Canadian hospitals already use this system and this number has increased every year dating back to 1997.

The Unit Dose Drug Distribution System will allow TDH to enhance patient safety, minimize medication wastage, save nursing time and comply with leading recommendations for drug distribution.

For more information contact:
Kali Garneau
Communications Coordinator
Timmins and District Hospital
267-2131 ext. 2030
kgarneau@tadh.com
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In August 2007, the Ontario Minister of Health and Long-Term Care Honourable George Smitherman, announced The McGuinty Government\'s decision to help improve access to dialysis services at the Timmins and District Hospital (T&DH) by providing a grant to support a 2 phase 12, 000 sq foot relocation and expansion of the dialysis unit. Deb Matthews, now Minister of Health and Long Term Care, provided formal approval to award the construction contracts on December 21, 2009.

\"We are pleased to be moving forward with better dialysis services for patients in this part of northeast Ontario, said Roger Walker, President and CEO of Timmins and District Hospital. \"Patients will benefit tremendously from the convenience of improved hospital services closer to home.\"

Monteith Construction, based out of Orillia, with a recently opened office in Timmins, will be the general contractor on the dialysis relocation and expansion project. \"We are looking forward to working with T&DH once again in order to build a much needed space for not only the community but the district of Timmins. Approximately thirty jobs will be created as a result of this project.\"

Construction is expected to start at the beginning of February 2010, lasting approximately 12 months.

Allan Kean, Board Chair, T&DH said, \"Relocating the dialysis unit will provide easier access for both staff and patients, and will help us as a health care facility to be able to efficiently accommodate ever increasing patient needs.\"

For more information contact:
Kali Garneau
Communications Coordinator
Timmins and District Hospital
267-2131 ext. 2030
kgarneau@tadh.com
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