The Fraser Valley Health Care Foundation (FVHCF) has announced the largest donation ever to the pediatrics unit at Abbotsford Regional Hospital (ARH) and Cancer Centre.
RE/MAX Little Oak Realty has donated $138,000 for the purchase of a new central cardio-respiratory monitoring system.
“This hospital means so much to the community, and has played such an important role in the health and well-being of our children,” said Todd Hendrickson of RE/MAX Little Oak Realty.
“We’re proud to support the pediatrics unit with the purchase of this vital equipment.”
FVHCF executive director Liz Harris thanked Little Oak Realty for its gift, saying they have donated $267,000 to the foundation since 2000.
“A gift of this magnitude will make a real difference to the level of care for children and youth in our community,” she said.
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The central cardio-respiratory monitoring system monitors patients’ heart rates, cardiac rhythm, breathing frequency and oxygen saturation, and will replace small, portable monitoring units that are currently being used.
The new system will be an improvement because it is much quieter, and monitors will be mounted in the wall next to each bed, which will eliminate excess cords and power cables that the portable units require.
In addition, medical staff will be able to monitor patients from nursing stations in real time and be able to react quicker if a medical emergency develops.
Stacey Atsma of Mission said her four-year-old son recently had a bike accident and was admitted to ARH.
She said he had to have his vital signs continually monitored to ensure that his lung wouldn’t collapse.
“The portable machine was always beeping, causing stress for both of us. The new monitoring system will be a big improvement,” she said.
“It’s important to have these medical services in our community so that we don’t have to travel all the way to Surrey or Vancouver where there’s no family support.”
Visit fvhcf.ca for more information.