Jose B. Lingad Memorial General Hospital Enhances Patient Care with New Facilities
The Jose B. Lingad Memorial General Hospital (JBLMGH) has significantly upgraded its healthcare services with the introduction of two state-of-the-art facilities. These new installations, funded through the hospital's internal revenues, aim to bolster patient safety, infection control, and the uninterrupted delivery of critical medical care.
Advanced Sterilization with RUMED
Dr. Monserrat Chichioco, chief of JBLMGH, emphasized that the demand for a dependable and specialized system for instrument reprocessing has become increasingly critical as surgical services expand. The newly opened RUMED (Reprocessing Unit for Medical Devices) facility, located at the Hospital Operations Building, addresses this need through a rigorous sterilization process.
Every medical instrument used in patient care undergoes a strict and carefully monitored sterilization process. Once sterilized, instruments are transported via designated routes in sealed containers to prevent cross-contamination. The process includes meticulous cleaning using manual washing, ultrasonic technology, and automated washer-disinfectors.
Each item is thoroughly inspected, arranged, and packaged with chemical indicators before being processed through advanced sterilization systems that eliminate all microorganisms. To ensure safety and reliability, strict quality control measures are applied, including ultrasonic testing, washer verification, Bowie-Dick testing, and biological indicators.
The facility itself is designed with a unidirectional workflow, controlled air pressure systems, and specialized sterilization equipment to maintain a clear separation between contaminated and sterile zones.
Reliable Oxygen Supply with MOGP
In addition to RUMED, JBLMGH has launched the MOGP (Medical Oxygen Generating Plant), which ensures a steady and reliable supply of medical-grade oxygen for patient care. This facility, housed in its own building behind the Orthopedic Center, can produce oxygen with up to 99.5 percent purity.
The MOGP generates the equivalent of 400 to 500 cylinders daily to meet the hospital's operational requirements. The oxygen output is directly connected to the hospital's central medical gas pipeline system, supplying wards, intensive care units, operating rooms, and emergency departments.
It also features an in-house cylinder refilling system that enhances emergency readiness, reduces operational expenses, and lessens reliance on external suppliers.
Support and Commitment
Dr. Chichioco highlighted that the Department of Health (DOH) has provided unwavering support by allocating sufficient budget for operations, enabling JBLMGH to utilize its internal revenue for these hospital improvements. She stated that these facilities, opened on March 15, further reinforce the hospital's commitment to patient safety and infection control.
JBLMGH, supervised by the DOH, has served Central Luzon since 1921, marking 105 years of dedicated healthcare service. These new advancements underscore its ongoing efforts to enhance medical care and adapt to growing surgical demands.
