Efforts are airing to improve care for critically ill children in the community.
May 1 marked the launch of the Vernon Jubilee Hospital Foundation’s annual spring fundraising campaign. This year, the Foundation is raising funds for two additional monitoring systems to increase the number of high-acuity beds available in the pediatric ward.
Between 2022/23, pediatric admissions to VJH grew by nine per cent, with conditions related to ear, nose and throat and respiratory disease among the leading causes of hospitalization.
The hospital has not only continued to see a rise in pediatric admission rates, but also a rise in more serious conditions. Therefore high-acuity pediatric beds are at max capacity.
With centralized monitoring, pediatric patients can be hooked up to a monitor in their very own room, with the results displayed 24/7 in a highly visible, centralized location for immediate access by their care team.
“Many children are too young to express what or how they are feeling,” says Dr. Kathryn MacKinlay, VJH pediatrician. “Centralized monitors make sure our medical team is alerted the second the child’s heart rate or breathing changes.”
With new monitors, staff can keep watch over the patient’s respirations, oxygenation, and cardiac status 24/7 and are alerted the second something changes. This means enhanced patient safety and increased peace of mind for parents and family members knowing that their children are being continually observed.
The total cost of the equipment, plus installation, is $85,000. All gifts made in support of the campaign throughout the month of May will be doubled, up to $20,000, thanks to the generosity of a local anonymous donor.
The Foundation is getting a sweet start to its fundraising with 100 per cent of all proceeds from Smile Cookies sold by Tim Hortons in Vernon and Lumby going towards the spring campaign.
READ MORE: Cookies spread smiles to sick kids at Vernon hospital
Visit any one of the five locations between April 29 to May 5 and you can enjoy a delicious, smiling ‘confetti’ cookie for $2.
During this time, you can also bulk order Smile Cookies and deliver them to friends, colleagues, or anyone whose day you want to brighten. Call or visit your preferred location to place an order.
The cause is being championed by the 21st annual Have a Heart Radiothon, taking place Thursday, May 31 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Pure Country 105.7.
As in past years, all funds raised through Radiothon will support the Foundation to purchase much needed equipment to care for the communities’ sickest kids.
“We want to ensure that every child in the North Okanagan gets the best care, as close to home as possible,” said Kate McBrearty, VJH Foundation executive director. “Whenever we ask, our community blows us away with its support. With Smile Cookies, Radiothon and a matching donor to launch us into May, we can’t wait to see the impact the campaign will have.”
To donate, visit www.vjhfoundation.org/springcampaign.
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