With the recent mailing of our annual Vital Signs appeal, our fundraising year is officially underway. Chief amongst the essential, life-saving medical equipment to be replaced are the hospital’s three Ultrasound machines. At $525,000, the units make up a significant portion of the $2,391,810 list of greatest needs for patient care.
“Most people would recognize this Ultrasound technology for its use in obstetrical exams at all stages of pregnancy, but ultrasound is used for many things at PCH each day ranging from aneurysm detection to locating gallstones, blood clots, breast exams and vascular studies,” says Meaghan Noye, PCH Ultrasound Coordinator. “We are VERY excited to be able to get new machines! The machines that we will be getting are amazing! We will be getting some new imaging packages that allows us to expand the scope of exams that we currently perform. We will still be able to perform all exams we currently offer and when trained on the new machine capabilities, be able to offer additional information to physicians. Image quality is greatly improved on the new machines as well, which allows us to see more while improving patient comfort.”
“Ultrasound can be a window into a patient’s diagnosis,” said PCH Foundation President Rick Kennedy. “Some call it the stethoscope of the 21st century. These machines are producing life-saving images every day at PCH, which is why it is imperative that the technology is kept up-to-date. ” These images lead to life-changing diagnoses for people like Janelle Gallant and her daughter Dayla who were featured in the Foundation’s spring mailing. Five year old Dayla had an Ultrasound several years ago that led to a cancer diagnosis that would have been catastrophic if unfound. After suffering from discomfort for some time, an Ultrasound revealed a 14 cm tumour in her belly followed by a long, but successful cancer journey (full story at pchcare.com). “The care was amazing,” said Janelle in a recent interview at PCH. “It’s one thing for a parent to go through this nightmare alone, but knowing that you have the staff and the support and the technology really gave me hope. As a young mom of 21 (at the time) I told myself ‘have faith, it will work out.’”
The Ultrasound Machines at Prince County Hospital, though essential to the care delivered at the facility are only part of the in the Vital Signs appeal to replace aging medical equipment at PCH in 2022. Nearly every department at the hospital is represented in the 2022 Vital Signs Appeal. From bed replacement needed in a variety of departments ($205,000) to Mobile X-ray Unit ($200,000) needed for Diagnostic Imaging, each piece of medical equipment is necessary in delivering care at PCH.
To read Dayla’s full story, review the comprehensive list of needs, and make your gift today, visit pchcare.com. Gifts are also gratefully accepted at the PCH Foundation office in the hospital lobby or by phone at (902) 432-2547.
