General News
3 September, 2024
Patients breathe easier with Blue Ribbon Foundation donation to Hospital
Wimmera Base Hospital boosts patient care with donation.
Transporting patients with breathing difficulties has become significantly easier at Wimmera Base Hospital, thanks to the donation of two advanced high-flow humidifiers by the Horsham branch of the Blue Ribbon Foundation.
The Foundation's generous gift of two Airvo 3 Optiflow High Flow systems to Grampians Health Horsham's Emergency Department has immediately enhanced the hospital's ability to provide critical care.
Previously, the ED relied on less effective equipment, restricting the safe transfer of patients needing high oxygen flow.
With the new devices, which offer a 40-minute battery life, patients can now be smoothly moved between units such as radiology and ICU while maintaining essential oxygen support.
ED nurse unit manager Rebecca Bolzon said the new devices had a 40-minute battery charge so patients could easily be transferred to units such as radiology or ICU while safely maintaining a high oxygen flow.
"The importance of having these devices has been made clear to the Blue Ribbon Foundation because the day they came in to get a press photo, both devices were being used by patients so we couldn't even pose with one of them," she said.
"They have instantly gone to work and are doing their job, so we are very grateful to the Blue Ribbon Foundation and the community that supports their events. The devices help reduce the work for a patient's breathing and allow us to give them high amounts of oxygen.
"We will use them a lot on asthmatic patients and those with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Paediatrics also respond well to the devices and they provide humidification as well. The new device is also very user-friendly because the interface is virtually like a computer."
Blue Ribbon Foundation Horsham chair Paul Margetts said his committee was pleased to be able to provide such vital items to the Emergency Department at Grampians Health Horsham.
"The Blue Ribbon Foundation was created to perpetuate the memory of Victoria Police members who have died in the line of duty," he said.
"Raising money in their honour and then donating it for such important hospital items is our way of ensuring they are remembered always."