Going into surgery makes even the strongest of patients feel vulnerable. The anticipation and preparation for many situations is more overwhelming than the actual situation itself. We’ve all been there. You answer all the questions, talk to all the doctors and the team is ready to start an IV. Whether you have a fear of needles or not, you hope they get it on the first try, but those darn rolling veins sometimes make that challenging. Your nurse takes out a handheld device, the AccuVein, and gets your IV started quickly and accurately.
A late-night Emergency Room visit for a nasty fall off your kiddo’s bike means everyone hopes there are no broken bones. Your care team quickly opens the cart next to your kiddo’s bed and takes out the necessary items to get the initial scrapes and bruises cleaned and stitched up. With easily accessible materials that the entire team knows how to find, your little one is fixed up in no time. Plus, a few scans and tests later and no broken bones, this time.
Surgeries and emergencies are everyday occurrences at Sheridan Memorial Hospital. Just like any job, when teams are equipped with the right tools and resources, they provide excellent care. Technology Advancements and updated equipment allow our teams to focus on our patients and provide consistency and accuracy along the way. With this in mind, the Sheridan Memorial Hospital (SMH) Foundation board is thrilled to have opportunities to support Sheridan Memorial Hospital with these requests.
Thanks to the generous funding by the Sheridan Memorial Hospital donors and their annual membership contributions to The Foundation, the SMH Foundation Board unanimously supported equipment purchases for the Emergency Department (ED), OR/Surgical Teams and Medical Surgical Unit. This investment enabled SMH to acquire new AccuVein finders for surgical patients and other teams throughout the hospital that administer IVs for patients, as well as new emergency room carts.
AccuVein Finders: Enhanced IV Placement
The AccuVein finder is a cutting-edge tool designed to assist medical teams in locating veins more easily, especially for patients with hard-to-find veins. This device uses near-infrared light to visualize veins beneath the skin, making it easier for healthcare providers to start IVs quickly and accurately.
Purpose of the AccuVein Finder:
- Efficiency: Reduces the time needed to locate veins, minimizing patient discomfort and anxiety.
- Accuracy: Improves the success rate of IV placements on the first attempt.
- Patient Comfort: Less probing and fewer attempts mean less pain and stress for patients.
Immediately after the AccuVein finders were made available, pre-op teams in the surgery department began utilizing this innovative tool. The results have been overwhelmingly positive, with reports of quicker and more comfortable IV placements for patients.
New Emergency Room Carts: Enhancing Efficiency and Organization
In addition to the AccuVein finders, the Sheridan Memorial Hospital Foundation Board also funded the purchase of new emergency room carts. These carts are designed to better organize items for efficient patient care, ensuring that all necessary supplies are readily accessible when needed.
Benefits of the New Emergency Room Carts:
- Organization: Keeps essential items neatly organized, allowing staff to find what they need quickly.
- Consistency: Provides a standardized setup across all emergency carts, ensuring that all team members are familiar with the layout.
- Technology: Incorporates new technology to keep supplies secure and easily accessible during high-pressure situations.
The ED carts have been a welcome upgrade, complementing other enhancements made to our ED Lobby and patient triage spaces. By improving the organization and accessibility of supplies, we can provide faster and more effective care to our patients.
The Sheridan Memorial Hospital Foundation Board’s commitment to investing in advanced medical tools and equipment is a testament to its dedication to improving patient care.
“No matter how big or small the request, The Foundation donors and supporters make this possible. We are so grateful for and look forward to continuing to provide the best possible care to our community,” shares Chief Development Officer, Cody Sinclair. “To all of our donors, board members, volunteers, and those who are willing to share their experiences with us, thank you for being a part of our journey to enhance healthcare at Sheridan Memorial Hospital.”
To support efforts like these and learn more about Sheridan Memorial Hospital Foundation efforts, visit sheridanhospital.org/foundation or visit with the team at 307.673.2418.