Equipment Funded in 2020
Your donations directly funded essential patient care equipment at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre.
Hemodialysis Treatment Chairs x4
(Renal Services, $26,440)
Equipment for improving patient comfort during dialysis
Renal patients can undergo dialysis treatments for hours at a time, up to three days per week. That's a long time, especially if the chairs are uncomfortable. This grant provides four upgraded hemodialysis chairs for the Renal Program in Thunder Bay. All monies were raised directly from the annual Greek Supper Club fundraiser, held each October.
Microbiology Urinalysis and Digital Microscopy
(Diagnostic Imaging, $40,000)
Equipment to upgrade lab test capabilities
Urinalysis and microscopy are vital tests to help doctors diagnose many different conditions in patients. However, equipment in our labs is ageing making them more susceptible to failure and downtime. This new equipment also features new technological advances to improve quality of results, turnaround times, and overall efficiency.
Defibrillators x2
(Critical Care, $47,009)
Equipment to reset the heart during a heart attack
Critical Care has replaced most of its defibrillators throughout our Hospital over the last five years to ensure we have the latest technology. These two new units replace ageing equipment and upgrade capabilities: one for the 2C (Cardiology) unit and one for the Cardiac Cath Lab.
Pictured is Adrian McKee, RN
BiPAP Ventillators x2
(Critical Care, $57,219)
Equipment to assist with breathing
Patients in Critical Care (ICU) often require assistance breathing using a ventilator, including most notably COVID patients. Most ventilators are CPAP or continuous flow ventilators during inhale and exhale. These specialized BiPAP or bi-level flow ventilators allow staff to change the flow during inhale and exhale independently as needed. These are critical care-grade units designed for constant daily use.
Pictured is Darolyn Hryciw and Jennifer Gadioma, Respiratory Therapists
ICU Beds x3
(Critical Care, $88,161)
Equipment for specialized care of Critical Care/ICU patients
ICU bed function is essential to proper patient care. These three new ICU beds replace ageing equipment, but they also greatly increase patient care, comfort, and safety by reducing the risk of pressure (bed) sores through better pressure and moisture management, improving fall prevention features, improving the communications system, and helping treat other complications due to immobility.
Cooling/Warming Blanket
(Critical Care, $22,926)
Equipment to improve outcomes for patients in a variety of situations
This multi-use, highly specialized blanket can be used in several situations. It can cool a patient after a heart attack, which helps protect brain cells leading to better outcomes for the patient. The warming feature can be used in other situations such as for treating a patient with hypothermia. In both cases, this electronically controlled blanket allows more precise temperature control.
Video Laryngoscope
(Critical Care, $17,800)
Equipment to improve intubation
Intubation is a common procedure to assist a patient with breathing. However, the intubation process can be painful for the patient, can require several attempts, and potentially lead to life-threatening complications. The video capabilities allow physicians to see down the patient's windpipe, reducing the number of attempts and reducing the risk of discomfort and complications.
Pictured is Dr. Lansdell
Bladder Scanner
(Oncology Unit, $16,750)
Equipment to help determine need for catheterization
Catheterization carries certain risks and can cause considerable discomfort for the patient. A bladder scanner is a painless way staff can determine whether or not catheterization is actually needed. This new equipment will replace an ageing unit. The current model is shipped out of town with increasing frequency due to failure, with an expensive ($750) rental unit needed each time this happens.
Pictured is Danielle Boissy, RN, Megan Kowalski, RN, and Yao XU, RPN (left to right)
Electric Procedure Stretcher
(Regional Cancer Care, $7,500)
Equipment for more comfortable outpatient cancer treatments
Regional Cancer Care provides outpatient cancer treatments and is the admission point for some medical procedures. Current patient stretchers are old (15+ years), narrow, and uncomfortable. This new stretcher will replace ageing equipment and upgrade capabilities including electric adjustment controls instead of manual for easier use by patients and improved staff safety.
ECG Monitoring for Radiation Therapy
(Regional Cancer Care, $11,914)
Equipment to monitor certain heart patients while receiving radiation therapy for safer treatment
Radiation therapy to treat cancer can cause pacemakers and similar implanted devices to malfunction. This portable ECG unit will monitor patients during radiation therapy to ensure their device continues to work properly, improving patient safety.
Specialized Stretchers x2
(Adult Mental Health, $14,780)
Equipment for safer patient resting and transport
Patients treated in adult mental health have different, specific needs than many patients, including the need for added safety features. These two new stretchers replace ageing equipment with state-of-the-art safety features including tamper-resistant hardware, lockout mechanisms, and a more solid construction. They will reduce the risk of harm to the patient as well as to staff and others.
Breast Imaging Ultrasound & Software
(Linda Buchan Centre, $190,000)
Equipment for various breast imaging procedures
The current breast imaging ultrasound unit is a vital piece of equipment for the Linda Buchan Centre. Last year, staff used it for over 5,000 imaging procedures including image-guided breast biopsies. The current unit reached end of life in 2018, which means parts became unavailable should it need servicing. This new, reliable, and dedicated unit will help ensure continued fast access to screening and diagnostic services for women across Northwestern Ontario.
Bone Densometer
(Diagnostic Imaging, $50,000)
Equipment to measure bone density
A bone densitometer is a low-dose X-ray imager that can safely measure the density of bone. This is important for diagnosing certain conditions including osteoporosis. It can also be used to monitor bone density during certain treatments including steroid use and some cancer treatments. This unit could potentially be used for future clinical trials testing new treatments for bone density loss.
Automated Dispensing Cabinet
(Pharmacy, $150,000)
Equipment to improve medication speed and safety
Automated dispensing cabinets are proven to improve medication speed and safety – including at our Hospital. Rather than manually fill out prescriptions and travel to the pharmacy to fill them, prescriptions can be reviewed and approved electronically. Then, the secure cabinet automatically dispenses the right medication and dose to authorized healthcare professionals on that unit. This greatly increases speed and reduces the risk of medication errors, improving both patient safety and comfort. This particular grant will go towards funding cabinets for the surgical units.
OmniBed Infant Warmer
NICU - Women and Children's Program ($57,000)
Equipment to warm babies at birth
Sometimes babies who undergo assessments at birth need more protection than a basic infant warmer can provide. This OmniBed infant warmer combines features with an incubator for better temperature control among other things. It replaces ageing equipment, vital to ensuring baby comfort and safety.
Impatient Equipment
Paediatrics Unit - Women and Children's Program ($84,568)
Equipment to replace ageing equipment including equipment reaching end of life
The Women and Children's Program has developed a five-year replacement plan for its beds. This grant goes towards replacing an ageing bed and crib. It also provides funding to replace an ageing paediatric infusion pump for precise medications and an oximeter, which measures oxygen levels.
Fun Centre
Paediatrics Unit and CAMHU
Equipment to keep child inpatients engaged
Starlight Fun Centres provide entertainment and social connection to children staying in the inpatient Paediatric unit or Child and Adolescent Mental Health Unit (CAMHU). Each centre consists of a TV with the ability to play movies, a gaming unit to play Wii U games, and the ability to interact with friends on social media. It can also double as a large videoconferencing unit to visit virtually with friends and family. This grant was pre-approved through the Patterson Endowment.
Infant Warmer, Isolette Phototherapy
Women and Children's program ($18,600)
Equipment for Labour & Delivery to replace ageing equipment
The Labour & Delivery program requires replacement equipment: an infant warmer to keep baby warm while undergoing post-birth assessment, an isolette (incubator) for babies who need ongoing care in a controlled environment, and a phototherapy system, which helps infants born with jaundice.
Mammography Workstation
Prevention and Screening Clinical Services ($32,605)
Equipment replacement (various, ageing) for surgical procedures
Several pieces of ageing equipment routinely used in the operating rooms at our Hospital require replacement. These include a bronchial scope (EBUS), scopes for arthroscopic (knee) surgery, tourniquets and stands to control blood flow during surgery, ergonomic stools for surgeons, and laparoscopic instruments for minimally invasive gall bladder procedures.
Operating Room Equipment
(Operating Room, $317,800)
Equipment replacement (various, ageing) for surgical procedures
Several pieces of ageing equipment routinely used in the operating rooms at our Hospital require replacement. These include a bronchial scope (EBUS), scopes for arthroscopic (knee) surgery, tourniquets and stands to control blood flow during surgery, ergonomic stools for surgeons, and laparoscopic instruments for minimally invasive gall bladder procedures.
Rhizotomy Machine
(Ambulatory Care, $ 20,989)
Equipment that provides longer-term back pain relief
Patients who suffer from chronic back pain often receive steroid injections, which can relieve pain for a number of weeks. Rhizotomy on the other hand can provide relief for months or years. The unit generates enough heat to “deaden” nerves and stop them from sending pain messages to the brain. Ambulatory Care estimates the unit will be used for 200 to 300 procedures per year.
Thunder Bay Breast Cancer Support Group
(Support Groups, $5,000)
Program to support breast cancer patients and survivors
The Thunder Bay Breast Cancer Support Group provides support through monthly meetings and other events to patients diagnosed with breast cancer throughout treatment and survivorship.
Colonoscopy Screening Program Digital Enhancements
(Regional Cancer Care, $51,009)
Equipment to improve colonoscopy access for patients in Marathon
Colonoscopy is a vital tool used to screen for colorectal cancer. Early detection leads to much better outcomes for patients. However, for some patients living in Marathon, the trip is too far to Thunder Bay. Regional Cancer Care established a colonoscopy clinic in Marathon held by surgeons from Thunder Bay. This equipment supports this program, providing easier access to colorectal cancer screening for residents in Marathon and surrounding areas.
Equipment Funded in Regional Hospitals
In addition to funding equipment at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, your donations provided essential equipment in communities across Northwestern Ontario. Each year, different communities receive funding thanks to your generosity. In 2020, the following grants were distributed.
Patient Scale, Sioux Lookout
Renal Program, ($7,005)
Equipment to ensure patient safety during dialysis
Accurate weight measurement before each dialysis treatment is essential to ensure patient safety. This patient scale replaces an ageing scale in Sioux Lookout that is no longer as accurate as it needs to be. This specialized scale can weigh patients who are either standing or sitting in a wheelchair. All monies were raised directly from the annual Greek Supper Club fundraiser, held each October.
Hemodialysis Treatment Chairs x 4, Sioux Lookout & Fort Frances
Renal Programs ($28,440)
Equipment for improving patient comfort during dialysis
Renal patients can undergo dialysis treatments for hours at a time, up to three days per week. That's a long time, especially if the chairs are uncomfortable. This grant provides four upgraded hemodialysis chairs for the Renal Program at the Sioux Lookout and Fort Frances sites, including additional shipping costs. All monies were raised directly from the annual Greek Supper Club fundraiser, held each October.
BARD Prevue Ultrasound System, Fort Frances
Regional Cancer Care ($4,980)
Equipment to improve patient comfort during chemotherapy
Chemotherapy involves finding a vein and inserting a needle to administer the medication. However, veins in some patients can be difficult to find. This can lead to repeated attempts at jabbing the patient, causing physical discomfort and mental anguish during what can be an already difficult time emotionally. The new ultrasound system will pinpoint vein locations exactly to improve patient comfort.
Temporal Thermometer, Fort Frances
Regional Cancer Care ($675)
Equipment for keeping patients comfortable while receiving chemotherapy
For patients receiving chemotherapy, an infection can be a medical emergency. Since a rising temperature can be a sign of infection, staff regularly monitor patient temperature. This new temporal thermometer is more accurate than their current oral and core thermometers. It also does not require additional equipment to operate such as the ear probes used in core temperature thermometers, reducing operating costs.
Heated Chemotherapy Chair with Lift Capability, Sioux Lookout
Regional Cancer Care ($3,508)
Equipment for keeping patients comfortable while receiving chemotherapy
Patients receiving chemotherapy often sit hours during treatment. The type and quality of the treatment chair is vital to their comfort for such long stretches. This new chemotherapy chair with warming capabilities will improve patient comfort. A similar chair in the Sioux Lookout program has already proven to be a patient favourite.
Chemotherapy IV Infusion Pump, Dryden
Regional Cancer Care ($4,928)
Equipment replacement and upgrade for chemotherapy infusion
Regional Cancer Care supports several outpatient chemotherapy programs throughout Northwestern Ontario for closer-to-home care. The program in Dryden needs to replace ageing chemotherapy IV infusion pumps. This new pump is an upgrade in a number of ways including built-in error prevention features, wireless monitoring, and customization features for pharmacists. The pump will improve patient safety as well as program efficiency.