Newly opened Medical Acute Unit at Bara provides much needed bed capacity for patients in need of high care

Earlier today Gauteng MEC for Health and Wellness, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko was joined by the Chief Operating Officer and Executive Director of First Rand Bank Limited, Mary Vilakazi to officially handover the Medical Acute Unit (MACU) to the Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital.

The newly refurbished and upgraded MACU will provide much needed bed capacity for acutely ill patients who need organ support or very close clinical observation.

The now modernised MACU with 24 beds (22 functional and 2 isolation) will admit and treat patients that need high care in a modernised and therapeutic environment.

It is able to accommodate 8 ventilated patients plus patients on non-invasive ventilation, and those on high flow oxygen therapy. The plumbing in all the cubicles in the unit has been installed in a way that will allow for dialysis for patients with kidney failure. Each bedded unit has been upgraded to specifications needed for a high care bed which includes 8 plug points as well as points for oxygen x2, vacuum x2 and 1 medical gas point.

The beds are also equipped with a continuous vital signs monitor as well as a movable examination light and emergency call button. The HVAC (heating, ventilation and air-conditioning) system of the refurbished MACU has been overhauled to enable the required standards of temperature control and air changes per hour. The gas-trap bottle was replaced. The sluice room has also been fitted with an extraction fan (air conditioning).

The Unit’s electricity supply has been upgraded to include full Isoloc systems, UPS connection and emergency lighting. Each cubicle has dimmable patient lights as well as bright lighting.These refurbishments and upgrades that are worth R3 145 250 were done through a donation from the South African Pandemic Intervention and Relief Effort (SPIRE), a division of the FNB Philanthropy Donor Choice Foundation Trust.

In addition to the refurbishments and upgrades, SPIRE fitted a park home that was donated to the hospital by the Caring Women’s Forum with electricity connection, lighting, power points, plumbing, kitchenette and storage shelves. This park home will be used by staff as a resting area amongst others.