Cardiac monitoring equipment fundraising nears halfway point

A campaign the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation has embarked on

The campaign to bring up-to-date cardiac monitoring equipment to Picton hospital is almost to the half way point thanks in part to the efforts of the Prince Edward County Memorial Auxiliary.

An update to the telemetry unit on the inpatient unit is urgently needed. Last updated in 1999, replacement parts for this piece of equipment are now obsolete. Telemetry, which is the constant monitoring of your heart rhythm, benefits a variety of patients at PECMH.

“Having up-to-date cardiac monitoring equipment allows the physicians of PECMH to manage patients we would otherwise need to transfer to another hospital directly from the emergency department,” explains Don Koval, division head for medicine at Picton. “With this equipment, we can safely monitor their cardiac condition, send them on to Kingston within the next day or two for further assessment, and often return them to PECMH or directly to home. The majority of their stay is therefore with familiar caregivers and closer to home,” he adds.

There are three designated inpatient beds where patients can be attached to a stationary cardiac monitor as well as four portable units. At any given time there are usually two to four patients being monitored and sometimes all seven monitors are in use.

Telemetry monitoring is used to read heart rhythm and rate and relays this information to the medical staff. The equipment benefit those living with heart disease and also monitors patients admitted with heart attacks, angina, congestive heart failure, drug overdoses, arrhythmias and those before and after heart surgery.

Fundraising for this equipment began in mid-November with the launch of the Foundation’s annual Christmas appeal. It will cost $237,282.39 to bring the new equipment to PECMH. The recent announcement from the PECMH Auxiliary indicating the proceeds from the Festival of Trees of approximately $36,000 for the telemetry campaign puts the total dollars raised at over $113,000.

“The Auxiliary is delighted that we have helped fund such much-needed equipment in urgent need of replacement,’ said Auxiliary President, Peggy Payne. “Contributing to this campaign is all thanks to the hard work of our volunteer members and the generosity of members of the community who continue to support our cause.”

“Historically, the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care does not pay for capital equipment. This is traditionally delegated to the Foundations and Auxiliaries to acquire through fundraising efforts,” said Leo Finnegan, president of the PECMH Foundation. “The Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation is very proud of our hospital and its staff. We have always known the health care team at PECMH provides the highest standards of patient care.  The work the Foundation does to raise funds for the medical equipment, such as telemetry to support patient care at our hospital is worth every dollar that is donated. We thank the people of Prince Edward County for their donations and ask that you give generously this season and into 2014 to help us keep superior patient care in the County.”

As an added incentive to this year’s campaign, Huff Estates has graciously donated a one night stay at the Inn with complimentary breakfast and a wine tour and tasting valued at $250 for the Foundation to raffle off to one donor giving $100 or more to the appeal. Deadline for entries is December 31, 2013 with the draw to be held January 6, 2014. Almost 200 donors have qualified for this draw to-date.

Copies of this year’s appeal are available in the Foundation office or a downloadable PDF is available at www.pecmhf.ca or you can call the Foundation office at 613-476-1008 ext. 4425. Donations received by December 31, 2013 will be issued an income tax receipt for 2013. The Foundation office will  reopen Monday, Dec. 30. Donations may be made through the website at any time. Our ability to provide high quality health care and state-of-the-art medical equipment is made possible with your support.