As 2024 comes to a close, the Humboldt District Hospital Foundation (HDHF) is looking back on a year of significant advancements and strategic planning aimed at improving healthcare services for the community.
"2024 has been a strategic planning year for us," said Executive Director Lorrie Bunko. "We need to work with the Saskatchewan Health Authority and managers on site to determine the needs of the facility. From now, for about a three-year span, because that then helps us plan and budget accordingly."
One of the key initiatives to come out of these planning efforts is the upgrade to the pharmacy clean room. The Foundation has committed up to 50% of the cost, with a maximum contribution of $250,000, to support this vital upgrade.
This upgrade will improve the facility’s ability to handle and prepare chemotherapy medications, ensuring safer, more efficient processes for patients in need of immunotherapy treatments. The Foundation’s contribution also aligns with the addition of new staff, including 1.5 new pharmacy staff members and a dedicated chemotherapy nurse. "We're pretty excited about that. It's going to make an impact on the waiting list of our cancer patients," Bunko shared.
In addition to these improvements, the Foundation has been actively advocating for enhanced services, including the provision of CT scanning in Humboldt. While the Foundation is awaiting official correspondence on the matter, they have received a verbal update on the progress and are eager to share further details once official communication is received.
Further updates are underway for the hospital’s lab, with the purchase of a new biochemistry analyzer. This new equipment will enable the lab to perform a rapid quantitative HCG test, which is crucial in diagnosing ectopic pregnancies. "We want to thank our physicians for working with us and our lab management on making this purchase and making this test available on site in Humboldt," said Bunko.
With the hospital's operating rooms in constant need of equipment upgrades to keep pace with a high volume of procedures, the Foundation is also investing in additional scopes to ensure the ORs continue to run smoothly five days a week.
As 2024 ends, the HDHF n looks ahead with continued determination to enhance healthcare services and provide crucial resources to meet the growing needs of the community. The year has marked a period of planning, progress, and promise for a healthier future.