Interim Health Alliance formed in response to the latest SARS outbreak, The
Scarborough Hospital (TSH) today announced that its General Division has
opened a SARS Assessment Centre. Located on hospital premises but separate
from the main building, the Assessment Centre is outside the Emergency
Department at the corner of Lawrence and McCowan. The Centre will be staffed
by emergency department physicians and nurses from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.
"Our leadership role in this Alliance is critical to supporting the
overall system in its efforts to overcome SARS," said Glenna Raymond, Senior
Vice-President, The Scarborough Hospital. "This Centre is just one of the many
steps we're taking in this role, helping facilitate the delivery of health
care to all patients across the GTA by freeing up non-alliance hospitals from
the challenges of caring for SARS patients, and preventing backlogs in the
health care system."
Anyone that is showing symptoms consistent with SARS should come into the
SARS Assessment Centre where they will be triaged by a team of experts. If
necessary that person will be transferred to a negative air pressure room in
the SARS unit inside the hospital.
The Scarborough Hospital, General Division is part of a unique Interim
Health Alliance, which includes St. Michael's Hospital, North York General
Hospital and William Osler Health Centre, Etobicoke Site. These four hospitals
are responsible for the treatment of SARS patients in the GTA.
While providing leadership to the system in this short-term role, TSH
will continue to reserve capacity for the delivery of day-to-day health care
services to our community. "We are committed to preserving this mandate now
and for the long term," added Raymond. "We are particularly grateful to our
staff for the ongoing care they are providing in their regular roles and now,
for stepping up and meeting these difficult and sensitive health care
challenges."
health care system. TSH is a regional treatment centre for Dialysis and MRI
and is renowned for its sexual assault care centre and mental health programs.
Affiliated with the University of Toronto, TSH is also a referral centre for
vascular surgery, pacemakers and corneal implants.