To meet the tremendous need that’s the result of a historic pandemic, The Queen’s Health Systems rose to the occasion with a state-of-the-art unit designed to provide medical professionals and their patients with the safest possible health care environment.
“We’re facing a devastating pandemic that can harm many, but together we’re going to walk through this and we’re going to be stronger,” says Jill Hoggard Green, The Queen’s Health Systems president and CEO.
Implementing an aggressive construction timetable, Queen’s recently opened its new 24-bed infectious disease unit at The Queen’s Medical Center. This Advanced Respiratory and Emerging Infectious Disease Unit sets a higher standard when it comes to the control and treatment of airborne and infectious disease.
One of the new beds in the The Queen's Medical Center new infetious disease unit.
“We talked with our frontline nurses, we talked with our doctors, and just said, ‘Hey, what technologies, what would you need to make sure that you’re safe every day?’” says Jason Chang, The Queen’s Medical Center president.
That wish list included negative pressure technologies to prevent cross contamination from room-to-room, continuous ultraviolet light disinfection, microorganism-resistant computer equipment, and telehealth technology to allow patients to comfortably communicate with their doctors as well as family members.
Queen’s completed the $12 million project in little more than three months at a time when companies around the world have been hit hard by the pandemic. Still, understanding the vital need for this type of complex medical care capability, members of our island community, including HMSA, came together to provide critical financial support.
Dr. Mugiishi touring The Queen's Medical Center
“A lot of people are saying the financial devastation of this is going to be enormous. But organizations like HMSA and Queen’s know that this is a moment in time when we’re going to take care of everyone and together, we’re going to walk through this both clinically and fiscally,” says Green.
“Everything about a pandemic is hard. It’s hard if you’re infected. It’s hard if it’s disrupted. It’s hard if your family is affected. It’s hard if you got laid off. The only way you overcome that type of hardship and adversity is through innovation, perseverance, and teamwork. And when you look at this facility, this is the embodiment of all of that,” says Dr. Mark Mugiishi, HMSA president and CEO.
