Equipping the future: the technology behind the QEII’s new Acute Care Tower

Behind the concrete, glass, and steel of the QEII Halifax Infirmary’s new acute care tower is one of the most complex healthcare technology projects ever undertaken in Atlantic Canada. It involves the coordinated planning, procurement, and integration of nearly 28,000 pieces of medical equipment — from everyday clinical tools to some of the most advanced treatment systems in the country.

Guiding this work is the Clinical Equipment and Technology Integration (CETI) team, responsible for ensuring that all technology and equipment are in place, integrated and ready for patient care when the tower opens.

“The CETI team touches every phase of the project – from master planning right through to installation and handover,” said Ian Westhaver, director of clinical equipment and technology integration for QEII Renew. “We help design the hospital around the equipment clinicians need, procure that equipment, commission it, and then support training so teams can use it safely on day one.”

The scope is massive. Equipment planning ranges from essentials — blood pressure monitors and clinical furnishings in every patient room, to sophisticated platforms such as robotic-assisted surgical systems, CT imaging, interventional radiology suites, integrated operating room video systems, and networked patient-monitoring technologies that connect care teams across departments.

Among the most exciting additions will be a new robotic surgical system, enabling highly precise, minimally invasive procedures; a new, larger hyperbaric chamber that will allow the hospital to treat ambulatory patients while simultaneously responding to diving emergencies; and surgical booms, piloted at Dartmouth General Hospital and now standard across all operating rooms and ambulatory procedure spaces. These ceiling-mounted systems reposition power, gases, imaging, and devices off the floor and closer to the point of care, improving ergonomics for clinical teams while increasing efficiency within procedural spaces.

Emergency care will also benefit from new technology integrations. CT scanners located directly within the new emergency department will allow clinicians to diagnose patients faster by eliminating transfer delays. Adjacent interventional radiology suites will provide immediate access to imaging-guided treatment for complex neurosurgical and trauma cases.

The complexity behind selecting and placing this equipment requires constant collaboration with frontline clinicians.

“Every piece of equipment is tied to how a clinical team actually works in their space,” said Bali Jakir, project manager, clinical equipment, with QEII Renew’s CETI team. “We walk through workflows with staff, identify what tools they need within arm’s reach, and then translate those needs into precise equipment layouts that get built directly into the design.”

The CETI oversees every stage of installation, testing, commissioning, and training, ensuring all systems function as intended and that clinical teams are prepared to use the new technology safely and confidently from the first patient forward.

“We aren’t just asking how people deliver care today,” said registered nurse Beth Tupala, now co-manager of planning with QEII Renew’s CETI team. “We plan for how care will look when the tower opens and into the future — and we try to make sure the infrastructure is ready to support that evolution.”

Her fellow co-manager, Angela Sarty, said that a future-focused approach is critical in a project of this scale. “Decisions we’re making now will shape how teams provide care for decades,” Sarty said. “Our role is to make sure the technology supports clinicians, adapts as practices change, and ultimately improves the experience for patients and staff alike.”

When the acute care tower opens, its integrated technology environment will immediately expand clinical capacity, enhance patient safety and improve care efficiency. Beyond the equipment itself, the project establishes a lasting foundation for healthcare delivery in Nova Scotia, positioning the QEII to deliver modern, high-quality care for generations to come.

📸 Photo of the CETI team.