Concordia Hospital

The Concordia Society was founded in 1928 as a maternity hospital in a private home on Machray Avenue in West Kildonan,{{cite web|title=Connect... the Concordia Way|url=http://concordiafoundation.ca/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Connect0902.pdf|publisher=Concordia Hospital|access-date=14 October 2012|pages=24|date=February 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304033425/http://concordiafoundation.ca/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Connect0902.pdf|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=dead}} by the Mennonite Hospital Society.{{Cite news|date=1965-03-31|title=Concordia Hospital may move to E.K.|work=Winnipeg Tribune|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/other-articles-clipping-mar-31-1965-1883939/|access-date=2020-07-28}} The original facilities included five beds and the hospital had a staff of three people. The first year saw 28 mothers admitted to the hospital, and by the second year the admissions had increased to 100. In 1930, the hospital was renamed Mennonite Concordia Hospital and was operated by a Board of Directors. The hospital was officially incorporated by the Government of Manitoba on 26 March 1931.{{cite web|title=The Concordia Hospital Incorporation Act|url=http://web2.gov.mb.ca/laws/statutes/private/c03990e.php|publisher=Government of Manitoba|access-date=15 October 2012|date=2 October 2012}} The Elmwood Sanitorium was purchased as a new site of the hospital on 13 July 1931.

Concordia Hospital began operating from the 400 DeSalaberry Avenue location in Elmwood in 1933.{{Cite news|date=1971-10-20|title=Won't Work If Hospital Becomes Clinics, MDs Say|work=Winnipeg Free Press|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/other-articles-clipping-oct-20-1971-1884577/|access-date=2020-07-28}} The new hospital stood on the former location of the Elmwood Sanitorium that had been purchased two years prior. The institution was formally opened on June 17, 1934.{{Cite news|date=1934-06-18|title=Premier opens new hospital of Mennonites|work=Winnipeg Tribune|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/other-articles-clipping-jun-18-1934-1884532/|access-date=2020-07-28}} During the first eleven months of operation at the new location, the hospital admitted 297 patients. Of these, 113 were maternity patients, 114 were surgical patients, 67 were medical and 3 were admitted for bone fractures. By 1938, the hospital had 50 beds and 12 staff.{{Cite news|last=Combe|first=C.V.|date=1938-05-11|title=Large Institutions Win Top Standings|work=Winnipeg Tribune|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/other-articles-clipping-may-11-1938-1884562/|access-date=2020-07-28}}

The hospital expanded in 1953 and 1958 and in 1957, the hospital added eight cribs and eight beds to the maternity wing.{{Cite news|date=1957-07-27|title=Hospitals To Add 750 Beds|work=Winnipeg Free Press|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/other-articles-clipping-jul-27-1957-1885716/|access-date=2020-07-29}} In 1964, the hospital purchased the land which became the current location of the hospital. By 1971, the hospital had 79 beds and 25 doctors. As of 1972, the hospital operated on a budget of $950,000 per year, with 69 beds, and a staff of 112.{{Cite news|last=Jager|first=Manfred|date=1972-11-15|title=A Cinderella Grows Up|work=Winnipeg Free Press|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/other-articles-clipping-nov-15-1972-1883961/|access-date=2020-07-28}}

In 1974 the hospital opened the new facility at the current 1050 Concordia location with 124 beds. The facility was built at a cost of {{CAD|7.5}} million.{{Cite news|date=1975-04-02|title=Old Concordia May Become Care Home|work=Winnipeg Free Press|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/other-articles-clipping-apr-02-1975-1883915/|access-date=2020-07-28}} In the same year, the hospital was investigated concerning possible medical, board and administrative irregularities surrounding incidents of patient deaths during 1973.{{Cite news|last=Jager|first=Manfred|date=1974-02-20|title=Concordia Hospital Being Investigated|work=Winnipeg Free Press|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/other-articles-clipping-feb-20-1974-1883998/|access-date=2020-07-28}}

Concordia hospital workers joined the 1980 CUPE strike which included 3,000 non-medical workers as well as workers at the Health Sciences Centre, Winnipeg Cancer Foundation, and hospitals and nursing homes in Brandon, Dauphin, Selkirk, Gimli, Swan River, Portage la Prairie, and Pine Falls.{{Cite news|date=1980-05-30|title=Concordia hospital workers join strike|work=Winnipeg Free Press|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/other-articles-clipping-may-30-1980-1884717/|access-date=2020-07-28}} The three-and-a-half week strike was ended June 20, 1980.{{Cite news|date=1980-06-21|title=Health workers ratify contract|page=1|work=Winnipeg Free Press|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/other-articles-clipping-jun-21-1980-1885732/|access-date=2020-07-29}}

The obstetrics unit at Concordia Hospital was closed in 1983, in order to centralize obstetrics services at St Boniface Hospital and Health Sciences Centre.{{Cite news|last=Brosnahan|first=Maureen|last2=MacKenzie|first2=Glen|date=1983-10-05|title=Hospital tells doctor no room in obstetrics|work=Winnipeg Free Press|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/other-articles-clipping-oct-05-1983-1883992/|access-date=2020-07-28}} The Emergency Department was expanded in 1985. As the hospital continued to grow, Concordia was Winnipeg's third-busiest emergency unit in, despite being the smallest hospital in the city, and operating on a budget of only $19 million.{{Cite news|last=Crampton|first=James|date=1989-12-10|title=Concordia closer to CAT scan goal|work=Winnipeg Free Press|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/other-articles-clipping-dec-10-1989-1883971/|access-date=2020-07-28}}

The hospital was considering an overnight closing the emergency department in 1993, closing the doors from midnight to 8am in order to save $280,000/year.{{Cite news|last=Samyn|first=Paul|date=1993-08-27|title=Hospital thrust into election arena|work=Winnipeg Free Press|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/other-articles-clipping-aug-27-1993-1884728/|access-date=2020-07-28}} Concordia Hospital became the first hospital in Canada to use laser treatment for prostate surgery, beginning in 1994. Aa one-week trial was conducted which was the largest trial at a single institution in North America.{{Cite news|last=Paul|first=Alexandra|date=1994-09-18|title=Laser zaps hospital costs|work=Winnipeg Free Press|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/other-articles-clipping-sep-18-1994-1884005/|access-date=2020-07-28}}

A funding crisis struck Concordia Hospital in 1997, this forced the hospital to turn away patients that were being referred for basic blood tests and ultrasounds. At the time, the hospital had among the highest load of any city hospital with a 24-hour emergency room and the 136-bed hospital's budget was $27 million.{{Cite news|last=Paul|first=Alexandra|date=1997-02-08|title=Concordia running out of funds|work=Winnipeg Free Press|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/other-articles-clipping-feb-08-1997-1883951/|access-date=2020-07-28}} More issues continued in the late 1990s with the hospital struggling with overcrowding in 1999 and was regularly keeping large numbers of patients on beds in the hallway as result of the unavailability of rooms. According to one nurse, it was the worst over-crowding the hospital had faced in at least 14 years.{{Cite news|last=Mitchell|first=Catherine|date=1999-01-08|title=No room for dignity in ER's hallways|work=Winnipeg Free Press|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/other-articles-clipping-jan-08-1999-1884492/|access-date=2020-07-28}} As of January, the Winnipeg Health Authority had a $70 million wish list of programs, but the government had only provided $31 million.{{Cite news|last=Nairne|first=Doug|date=1999-01-08|title=No quick cure for hospital crisis|page=A6|work=Winnipeg Free Press|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/other-articles-clipping-jan-08-1999-1884505/|access-date=2020-07-28}}

The 2000s saw the hospital opening a new 26-bed unit to help face the growing demands. This unit included a 14-bed Orthopedic Post Acute Surgical Unit, which was the first of its kind in Winnipeg, and a 12-bed Rehabilitation Unit.{{Cite news|date=2000-03-25|title=Concordia Hospital|work=Winnipeg Free Press|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/advertisement-clipping-mar-25-2000-1883908/|access-date=2020-07-27}} In late 2001, the Manitoba Nurses Union sent notice to nurses in the province asking nurses not to apply for jobs at Concordia hospital, citing continued management violations of the collective agreement. This action, which the union referred to as "greylisting", was the first of its kind in the province.{{Cite news|last=McKie|first=Paul|date=2001-12-10|title=Angry nurses blacklist Concordia hospital|work=Winnipeg Free Press|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/other-articles-clipping-dec-10-2001-1883933/|access-date=2020-07-28}} In 2005, the Manitoba government made the hospital a centre of excellence in hip and knee replacements.

The hospital's Emergency Room underwent a $3.6-million renovation in 2008 increasing the size of the ER by nearly {{convert|2000|sqft|m2}}.{{cite web|title=Premier Officially Opens New Concordia Hospital Emergency Department|url=http://news.gov.mb.ca/news/index.html?item=4838|publisher=Winnipeg Regional Health Authority|access-date=15 October 2012|date=28 November 2008}} The renovation included increased space for the triage area, minor treatment rooms and admitting desk, as well as the addition of counseling rooms and improvement of the medication rooms. The upgrades included the addition of an Emergency Department Information System (EDIS) which tracks information on patients that visit the ER. In 2015, the hospital had the longest recorded ER waits of any hospital in Canada, with 90% of patients in the ER being seen by a doctor within 7 hours.{{Cite news|last=Kusch|first=Larry|date=2015-12-18|title=City's Concordia Hospital tops in nation for ER waits|work=Winnipeg Free Press|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/other-articles-clipping-dec-18-2015-1884004/|access-date=2020-07-28}} Concordia Hospital's emergency room was transitioned to an urgent care centre instead of a full service ER and caused frustrations and concern in the community as residents would now have to drive further to either the Health Sciences Centre or the St. Boniface Hospital to access emergency care.{{Cite news|last=Sanders|first=Carol|date=2019-06-04|title=Throwing the switch: Concordia ER now urgent care centre|work=Winnipeg Free Press|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/other-articles-clipping-jun-04-2019-1883966/|access-date=2020-07-28}}{{Cite news|last=Rollason|first=Kevin|date=2019-05-09|title=Crowd rallies to save Concordia ER|work=Winnipeg Free Press|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/other-articles-clipping-may-09-2019-1884616/|access-date=2020-07-28}}{{cite news |title= Residents want Concordia ER back, patients complain about long waits at urgent care centre |url= https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/concordia-urgent-care-first-day-complaints-1.5161156 |author= Austin Grabish |website= CBC Manitoba |date= 4 June 2019 |access-date= 17 April 2023}}

File:Concordia Place, 1000 Molson Street, Winnipeg Manitoba.jpg

In 1998, Concordia Hospital built Concordia Place, a personal care home adjacent to the hospital.{{cite web|title=History of Concordia Place|url=http://www.concordiahospital.mb.ca/place/history.html|publisher=Concordia Hospital|access-date=14 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130430064001/http://www.concordiahospital.mb.ca/place/history.html|archive-date=30 April 2013|url-status=dead}} Concordia Place opened on 10 May 2000, with 140 beds. Staff at Concordia Place include Registered and Licensed Practical Nurses, Health Care Aides, Recreation staff, a Clinical Dietitian, and Occupational Therapist, and a Chaplain, among others. Concordia Place features group activities and recreational programs and a dedicated chapel.

File:Entrance to Concordia Village I, 1125 Molson St, Winnipeg, Manitoba.jpg

Concordia Village is an assisted living facility located across from the hospital. The facility includes three buildings: Concordia Village I, Concordia Village II and Concordia Village III.{{cite web|title=Projects/Facilities|url=http://concordiavillage.ca/about/projectsfacilities/|publisher=Concordia Wellness Projects|access-date=14 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121014005719/http://concordiavillage.ca/about/projectsfacilities/|archive-date=14 October 2012|url-status=dead}} Each facility features both one and two-bedroom apartment units with kitchens, storage and private balconies. Buildings I and II each have two guest suites for visiting families and other overnight guests. Concordia Village is owned and operated by Concordia Wellness Projects Inc., a non-profit registered charitable organization.{{cite web|title=Dedicated to the wellness of seniors…|url=http://concordiavillage.ca/|publisher=Concordia Wellness Projects Inc.|access-date=14 October 2012}} Construction costs for the three villages were $12.0 million for Phase I, $16.8 million for Phase II, and $13 million for Phase III.{{cite web|title=Concordia Village Phase 1, 2 and 3|url=http://www.wgkastes.com/concordia%20village.pdf|publisher=Kastes|access-date=15 October 2012}}

Village I has 94 units and was established in 2006 at 1125 Molson Street.{{cite web|title=Completed Projects - Residential|url=http://www.concordprojects.com/home.asp?type=projectlist&cat=residential&comp=true|publisher=Concord Projects Ltd.|access-date=15 October 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130119221610/http://www.concordprojects.com/home.asp?type=projectlist&cat=residential&comp=true|archive-date=19 January 2013|url-status = dead}} Village II has 103 units and was established in 2008 at 1115 Molson Street. Village III has 90 units and was established in 2010 at 1115 Molson Street.

Concordia Village's services include:{{cite web|title=Welcome to Concordia Village|url=http://concordiavillage.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/CV_Brochure_vJan2012.pdf|publisher=Concordia Village|access-date=15 October 2012|date=January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304042726/http://concordiavillage.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/CV_Brochure_vJan2012.pdf|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=dead}}

• Dinner meal and continental breakfast
• Weekly housekeeping and daily garbage collection
• Personal security device
• Planned social/recreational activities and excursions
• Visiting home care workers
• Hair salons
• Monthly banking with Steinbach Credit Union (SCU)
• ATM machines

In 2009 at Concordia Hospital opened a {{convert|60000|sqft|m2}} building to house the Hip and Knee Institute.{{cite web|title=Concordia Hip & Knee Institute receives $10 million|url=http://www.wrha.mb.ca/healthinfo/news/2011/110316.php|publisher=WinnipegHealthRegion.ca|access-date=14 October 2012}} The cost of the equipment and office space for the institute were $8.8 million.{{Cite news|last=Santin|first=Aldo|date=2009-09-03|title=City boasts hip new surgical centre|work=Winnipeg Free Press|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/other-articles-clipping-sep-03-2009-1883981/|access-date=2020-07-28}} The building includes a Shoppers Drug Mart. The third level is completely dedicated to the Hip and Knee Institute. The institute is home to a hip and knee assessment clinic, a digital imaging clinic, a research facility, a research laboratory, a training and education facility and a pre-habilitation clinic. The institute has a knee surgical simulator suite, a scanning electron microscope, a digital X-ray lab and an implants retrieval lab. The implants retrieval lab provides storage for worn-out replacement hip and knee joints for studying patterns of failure. The institute features a conference centre connected to an operating room where surgical procedures can be viewed on a television screen.

In 2012, the hospital performed 1,558 hip and knee surgeries, outpacing Grace Hospital's 1,476. Concordia also performed more joint replacements than any other Manitoba hospital.{{Cite news|last=Kusch|first=Larry|date=2013-11-23|title=Hip and knee replacements face backlog|work=Winnipeg Free Press|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/other-articles-clipping-nov-23-2013-1883974/|access-date=2020-07-28}}

• Concordia Hospital has been involved in outbreaks of highly contagious viruses and antibiotic-resistant superbugs.{{cite news|last=Skerritt|first=Jen|date=13 April 2009|title=Hospital outbreaks kept quiet|newspaper=Winnipeg Free Press|url=http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/business/hospital-outbreaks-kept-quiet-42890912.html|access-date=14 October 2012}} Based on data released covering 2006 through 2008: in 2007, the hospital saw 42 people infected with MRSA and 30 people infected with Norovirus, and in 2006 the hospital saw 82 Norovirus infections.

• A hand-hygiene audit completed in February 2012 found that front-line staff in hospitals do not sufficiently wash their hands.{{cite news|last=Welch|first=Mary Agnes|title=Many health-care workers don't wash their hands as often as they should|url=http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/interactive-handwashing-compliance-in-winnipeg-personal-care-homes-160044435.html?viewAllComments=y|access-date=14 October 2012|newspaper=Winnipeg Free Press|date=23 June 2012}} Reports reviewed two wards, N2W and N2E, and found compliance rates of only 58% and 48%.

{{reflist|33em}}

{{Commons category}}

• [http://www.concordiahospital.mb.ca/ Concordia Hospital]
• [http://www.wrha.mb.ca/prog/ipc/outbreaks.php List of current outbreaks in Winnipeg Health Region facilities]
• [https://www.gov.mb.ca/health/waittime/surgical/all_hipknee.html Wait Times for Hip & Knee Surgeries]

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Category:Hospitals in Winnipeg

Category:Hospital buildings completed in 1931

Category:Hospital buildings completed in 1974

Category:Hospitals established in 1928

Category:1928 establishments in Manitoba

Category:Kildonan, Winnipeg