New equipment, including an infant cardiac monitor, will help mothers and babies in the obstetrical operating room at the Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre, says the Red Deer Regional Health Foundation.
“The unit previously shared a cardiac monitor with the (neonatal intensive care unit), but now a monitor is readily available for all births in the obstetrical OR,” the foundation said in a LinkedIn post recently.
The foundation raises and disburses funds for programs, services and the purchase of medical equipment for the Red Deer hospital and other facilities in Alberta Health Services’ central zone.
“This equipment means nurses and doctors can see an accurate reading of a baby’s heart rate during an emergency.”
The foundation also funded replacement megadyne pads, which provide grounding in surgeries where an electrical cautery is in use. The foundation funded the previous megadyne pads as well.
“When the time came for replacements, turning to disposable grounding pads was less attractive, as there would be excess waste and some risk of burns to patients’ skin,” the foundation said, adding the pads provide mothers with soft padding, which can serve as a small measure of added comfort.
“Yellow fin stirrups and boots also add to our moms’ comfort. They are very supportive and nicely padded. The new set means they do not have to be shared between operating rooms,” said the foundation.
“Also funded were zeppelin clamps, not pictured here. When the zeppelin clamps are needed, they are needed in a hurry. The new zeppelins are available immediately in an emergency, as they remove the need to borrow from the main OR.”
Thanks to donors, the foundation can also fund a new overhead bariatric lift for the palliative care and oncology unit at Red Deer Hospital, at a cost of over $8,000.
“The equipment will assist nurses in safely lifting and repositioning patients without causing injuries to staff,” the foundation said in a Facebook post last Friday.
“Without donations from central Albertans, we could not fund equipment like this. Thank you, central Alberta.”
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