3 minute read
Shining a Light on the Hospital Foundation
BY JAN SANDERSON
Established in 1989, the volunteer Board of the Powell River Hospital Foundation works to advance patient care, and improve the health and well-being of our citizens.
With your help, over $4.25 million has been raised in the past 34 years to improve health care and, where possible, to reduce the need for qathet residents to incur the additional costs and inconvenience of having to travel to other centres for diagnosis and treatment.
Looking forward:
Much has been accomplished, but much remains to be done. Community donations and bequests ensure the Hospital Foundation can continue its important work. Further information, including how to volunteer, is available at the Foundation website: prhospitalfoundation.com
7 vital Hospital Foundation investments
Some Significant Early Purchases
Helipad Landing Lights
With the installation of lights at the helipad, the hospital gained the capacity for nighttime emergency evacuations.
CT Scanner
By far the largest project the Foundation has spearheaded was the purchase of a CT Scanner at a price tag of $1.9 million. The three-year campaign to raise funds began in 2006 and involved the whole community: businesses, service clubs and local citizens.
The scanner is an essential diagnostic tool, and patients no longer have to leave the community for this procedure. (Do you remember the giant thermometer at Willingdon Beach that tracked our progress towards the funding goal?)
Some Recent Purchases/Projects Emergency and Trauma Care Equipment
• A ventilator for the Intensive Care Unit
• A rapid infuser which supplies high speed delivery of warmed blood and fluids to patients
• An Arctic Sun warming/cooling unit which can be used to improve outcomes for heart attack, stroke or brain trauma
• Two portable EKG machines
• Vital signs monitor
Kidney Dialysis Expansion
This project, made possible by a generous donation from a local family, saw the doubling of capacity and refurbishing of the dialysis suite. This means fewer patient trips to Sechelt when demand exceeds capacity.
Cataract Surgery Machine
With a new Centurion Vision System, over 50 people a month can stay in Powell River for this surgery instead of having to travel to Comox.
Maternity Dept, Modernization
In the past four years, multiple pieces of equipment, totalling approximately $162,000, have been purchased:
• Infant incubator (2)
• Electric Fetal Monitor
• Obstetric Ultrasound Machine
• Intellivue Neonatal Monitor
The latest commitment is for a Fetal Monitor Transducer and module that will be used to transmit a baby’s vital signs from a mom in the maternity ward to the nursing station. We’re hoping for delivery early in the new year.
In addition, the Foundation provided funding in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) training, which prepares staff to recognize and intervene in pediatric emergencies
Upgraded OR Lights
This year, new operating lights were installed in both operating rooms, replacing the lights originally installed when the hospital was built.
