New Heated Chemotherapy Chairs Provide Comfort for Patients
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(From left to right): Sharon Nelson, Volunteer, Shirley Wragg, VP, Volunteer Association and Karen Roberts, Manager, Clinic Operations, Nursing, Systemic Therapy, Palliative and Supportive Care, test out one of the Hospital’s new heated chemotherapy chairs. |
By Marcello Bernardo - March 2, 2019
The Volunteer Association to the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (our Hospital) made a generous donation that will help improve the quality of care for patients in Northwestern Ontario.
The donation supported the purchase of three new heated chemotherapy chairs that provide some much-needed comfort for patients receiving chemotherapy treatment at our Hospital. Two of the chairs are used in the Cancer Centre and the third is located in the 1A Oncology Unit.
Comfortable seating plays a significant role in ensuring a positive patient experience. The new heated chemotherapy chairs help patients relax in their surroundings. Also, many patients with cancer experience fatigue and these chairs promote rest, which is always a positive.
"Patients who are receiving treatment can often feel cold because the fluids used for the treatment are at room temperature,” said Karen Roberts, Manager, Clinic Operations, Nursing, Systemic Therapy, Palliative and Supportive Care at our Hospital. “Patients having longer treatments can also become uncomfortable from long periods of sitting. We do have heated blankets that can be used to provide comfort, but having heat at their backs from the infusion chair provides additional comfort, especially for patients who are here for several hours,” said Roberts. “This is a great example of how the Volunteer Association puts our patients first, both in terms of their many donations and all of the work they do on a daily basis.”
The Volunteer Association to the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre raises funds through Seasons Gift Shop and numerous other fundraising activities in order to purchase equipment that enhances care and experiences for patients and their families.
To learn more about the Volunteer Association, or for information on how to get involved, please visit www.tbrhsc.net.