Since admitting its first patients in September 2015, the new High Acuity Unit (HAU) at VGH has gradually increased admissions. Today, the unit is fully staffed and operational, providing up to 12 beds for patients requiring a high level of care.

“We’ve grown into a well-rounded, patient-centred team with the expertise to meet the needs of a unique patient population,” says Jackson Lam, patient services manager.

The HAU cares for patients requiring increased monitoring and resuscitation in a multidisciplinary environment. The unit’s staffing includes critical care physicians and nurses with high-acuity certification who care at a ratio of 1:2 or 1:3, depending on each patient’s needs and acuity.

“The HAU isn’t meant to serve as a step-down unit for Intensive Care Unit (ICU) patients,” Jackson explains. “In fact, we work closely with the Critical Care Outreach Team to catch ward patients who are not doing well and save them from the intensive and intrusive procedures in the ICU.”

Lara Gurney, critical care coordinator: “Collaboration between CCOT and HAU ensures the best care for patients, and builds confidence among our many new high-acuity nurses.”

The HAU operates alongside the high-acuity Burn and Trauma beds and, collectively, the unit space is known as the BC Professional Firefighters’ Burn, Trauma and High Acuity Unit (BTHAU).

Admissions to the HAU are accepted from general wards, the Emergency Department and the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) following an ICU or HAU physician consult. Patients are transferred to their home service when they no longer require high-acuity care.

“This is what I would want for my own family,” says Dr. Hussein Kanji. “We have a highly skilled multidisciplinary team, working in a specialized setting, who can stop a patient’s decline early and reverse their trajectory without catastrophic results.”

Echoing her colleagues, Laurie McLauchlin flashes a wide smile when asked about the team.

“I can’t say enough about our nurses, our physician group — about everyone,” says the clinical nurse educator. “The team is awesome, patient care is paramount and the collegiality is incredible.”

Physician consult

For an ICU or HAU physician consult, please call:

• 604 842-4706 (Triage BB)
• 604 875-4111 – Local 54275 (back up)

Related story

“It’s made me such a better nurse”