Nearly a year since the launch of an Alberta Health Services investigation, the admissions freeze for seniors needing beds at the long term care unit at the Lacombe Hospital and Care Centre has finally been lifted.

The freeze was initiated after a couple of Red Deer College nursing students on practicum at the hospital, raised concerns about inappropriate and unprofessional care at the site.

AHS Chief Zone Officer Kerry Bales says they wanted to ensure they had all of the proper care standards in place before they brought in any new residents.

“The plan is to admit to the vacant rooms slowly over time, we’ll probably be starting with maybe two admissions per week. And again the idea behind that is to make sure that as we’re starting to introduce more residents into the sight, staff, residents, and families have the time and the assurance that they can do things in the way that they know it needs to be done.”

Bales says they've also taken steps to ensure the conditions never deteriorate to that level again.

“The sight has actually implemented a quality improvement committee, so they’ll be doing ongoing work around ensuring the admission process goes well, ensuring that care plans and resident care is maintained in the way that we need to from a standards perspective. Things like making sure we reduce the use of restraints, making sure there’s comprehensive fall care plans in place.”

Bales says they will also work closely with the resident and family council, which helps to maintain a constant line of communication between patients, their families, and their health care providers.

At the time of publishing there were 21 vacant beds.

Earlier stories:

Admissions Freeze Lifting Soon at Lacombe Hospital Long Term Care Unit.

AHS Completes Review of Lacombe Hospital After Care Concerns Raised.

AHS Comments on Report of Care Concerns at Lacombe Hospital.