Almonte General Hospital

The Almonte General Hospital (AGH) is a 52-bed acute/chronic care hospital located in the municipality of Mississippi Mills, which, with a population of more than 11,000, is the largest municipality in Lanark County. The municipality is experiencing a significant population growth due to its proximity to Ottawa-Carleton. It is also an attractive community for individuals considering retirement.

The Almonte General Hospital serves its community with a well-maintained physical Hospital plant, staffed by a dedicated medical, administrative and support staff.

According to the 2004 Ontario hospital report card, AGH’s acute care and emergency care patient satisfaction scores in every category – including overall quality, physician care, bedside care, and waiting times – are higher than the provincial and Eastern Ontario regional average scores. They are also above the average scores received by other hospitals of similar size.

The Hospital is also one of a small number of rural hospitals in the province that operates below the provincial financial parameters and benchmarks applicable to administration and hotel expenses.

AGH, which had its three-year accreditation renewed by the Canadian Council on Health Services Accreditation in 2003, is the only rural hospital in this region that provides a full range of OB/GYN services, including 24- hour epidural, anaesthetic and c-section coverage. The Hospital’s regional obstetrical program is staffed by two obstetrician/gynecologists (one full-time and one part-time) plus four family physicians who provide obstetrical services. The Hospital has upgraded its OBS facilities and plans to further enhance its obstetrical program by developing a regional birthing centre to serve the communities of Mississippi Mills, Arnprior, Carleton Place and surrounding townships.

The Almonte General Hospital was selected by Lanark County to operate the County’s land ambulance service, effective September 2000.

In June 2002, AGH and the County of Lanark reached an agreement to redevelop Fairview Manor that will see a new, 112-bed long-term care facility built on land adjacent to the Hospital. The Redevelopment Project also includes renovations to AGH’s emergency, ambulatory and in-patient care, obstetrical and lab departments, as well as new equipment for the x-ray and medical-surgical departments. The Hospital, new long-term care facility and existing Manor will be connected by a covered link. The new facility and AGH will share administrative and support services and the existing Manor will be used for other purposes.

As part of the agreement, AGH agreed to assume management responsibilities for the existing Manor, effective July 1, 2003. The two facilities have been sharing support services since 1999. Ownership of the existing Manor was transferred to AGH on October 1, 2004.

Our Hospital provides a significant range of health services, including:

• 21 medical and surgical beds, 5 obstetrical beds and 26 chronic care beds;

• 24-hour emergency services provided by eight family physicians with Advanced Care Life Support, Advanced Trauma Life Support and other emergency training. The Hospital has a roster of other locum physicians who provide periodic backup coverage. Doctors at the Hospital also have fast access to area specialists and specialized hospital resources for critically ill patients through the Ontario Criticall Program - a 24-hour hot-line referral service.

• Air Ambulance Service support for our Emergency Services, including a fully licensed air ambulance helipad;

• A general surgery program;

• A regional chronic care program – the Rosamond Unit – that serves Mississippi Mills, Carleton Place and surrounding townships;

• A regional Day Hospital program, which accommodates 8-10 patients per day and serves the communities of Mississippi Mills, Carleton Place and surrounding townships;

• A Pacemaker Clinic

• 24-hour inpatient and outpatient laboratory services;

• 24-hour general radiology and ultrasound services;

• A general rehabilitation program, which includes physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and a therapeutic recreation;

• Inpatient and outpatient dietician counselling;

• The Lanark County Sexual Assault Program;

• A significant variety of specialized outpatient clinics including: cardiology, neurology, orthopedics, general surgery, urology, plastic surgery, dermatology, orthotics, and oral surgery.