A request for proposals has been issued for a new long-term care facility in Swift Current, Sask.

Three teams—Integrated Team Solutions, Plenary Group and Willow Healthcare Partners—have been shortlisted to submit RFPs to build the 225 bed facility. The teams were selected following the Request for Qualification process, which closed in October.

The new facility will have a home-like atmosphere and incorporate LEAN operational best practices and health care principles and efficiencies.

The project is a design-build-finance-maintain public-private partnership (P3) procurement model and a proponent is expected to be selected by spring 2014.

Construction is expected to begin in summer 2014, with completion scheduled for spring 2016.

The facility will be built on land owned by the Cypress Regional Health Authority. It will be adjacent to the regional hospital. The Health Authority will have full ownership of the facility and operate direct care.

Kaiser Foundation Hospital Orange County: Irvine Medical Center Kaiser Permanente Hospital Orange County - Irvine Medical Centre was one of this year's Top Hospitals. Photo courtesy CO Architects

The non-profit organization, Leapfrog Group, recently released its list of Top Hospitals in the United States.

Leapfrog's list recognizes hospitals that deliver high quality care by prevent medical errors, reduce mortality for high-risk procedures and reduce readmissions for conditions such as pneumonia and heart attacks.

This year's list consists of 22 rural hospitals, 55 urban hospitals and 13 children's hospitals. In comparison with the 2012 list, this year there was a 69 per cent increase in rural hospitals that made the list.

"The larger group of rural hospitals represented, including several critical access hospitals, shows us that any hospital in America can achieve the highest standards of quality and safety, and any community, no matter how small, can benefit from top-notch health care," says Leah Binder, President & CEO of Leapfrog.

Leapfrog chose the 2013 Top Hospitals from a 1,324 hospitals that voluntarily participated in the Leapfrog Hospital Survey. The survey provides a comprehensive picture of patient care in these hospitals, from data on infections, injuries and medical errors. The Top Hospitals have received an "A" from Leapfrog's Hospital Safety Score.

STARS HelicopterPhoto courtesy STARS 

The new $3.4 million rooftop heliport at the Regina General Hospital has been certified for use by Transport Canada.

"Landing directly at Regina General will allow our emergency services to get patients in southern Saskatchewan to a critical care team about 15 minutes faster," says Dustin Duncan, Saskatchewan's Health Minister. "For a patient, that can make a significant difference."

The Shock Trauma Air Rescue Society (STARS) will be able to transport patients to the hospital by mid-December. Hospital staff involved in helicopter landing are currently undergoing training to receive patients.

"This heliport is an important step for improving access to emergency care," says Dr. Terry Ross, STARS medical director and transport physician. "Every second counts when dealing with critically ill and injured patients, so landing right on the roof of the General will help us save time and lives."

The provincial government provided funding for the heliport. A similar heliport will be added to the new Children's Hospital of Saskatchewan, to create quick access between Regina General and the adjacent Royal University Hospital. Construction on the Children's Hospital is expected to finish by the end of 2016.

Whitehorse is getting more collaborative care options, with the Yukon government expanding one of the city's medical clinics.

"For the past two years we have operated the referred care clinic for individuals with complex care needs who previously were visiting the emergency room," says Doug Graham, Minister of Health and Social Services. "This new clinic concept has already brought together a physician, an outreach worker and a mental health nurse to provide a fuller scope of services for some hard to serve clients. I am happy to report that we have added two more physicians to the mix and are actively seeking a nurse practitioner to round out that team."

The collaborative care model will create teams of health care providers that are able to provide the right care to patients at the right time.

"Plans are underway to expand who else can refer patients to our services, other than Whitehorse General Hospital," says Dr. Sharon Lazeo, the clinic's lead physician. "This change, coupled with the additional health care providers, will mean we can provide more services to a larger number of individuals who need this type of care."

In addition to health issue, complex care clients may have issues with addiction or mental health.

Hennick Family Wellness Centre RenderingRendering courtesy BBB Architects

Mount Sinai Hospital has received a $6 million donation that will go towards a new healing and respite area of the hospital.

The gift from Jay and Barbara Hennick, will create the Hennick Family Wellness Centre. The Centre will serve as an oasis for patients and their families, as well as visitors and staff. Canadian-artist Sorel Etrog has donated some of his most esteemed works to the hospital, which will be featured in the Centre.

It is part of The Campaign to Renew Sinai, which will see transformation in the hospital's facilities, as well as growth in its research and flagship clinical programs. The space is scheduled to open in early 2015.

Located on the north end of the hospital's main lobby, the wellness centre will have floor-to-ceiling windows surrounded by outdoor patios. From the Centre, patients will be able to see out onto University Avenue.

Extensive research has shown that a wellness centre can help patients deal with stress and psychosocial factors that can affect their health outcomes.

"We know that there is no health without mental health, and the new Hennick Family Wellness Centre will strengthen the physical, emotional, mental, social, environmental and spiritual health for our patients and their families," says Molyn Leszcz, Chief, Psychiatry, Mount Sinai Hospital.