Patients breathe easy with new oxygen units
Patients can breathe easier at West Gippsland Hospital after a donation allowed the hospital to purchase three new oxygen units.
The three new Airvo oxygen units and five vital signs monitors were purchased following a $25,000 donation from the Warragul Lions Club of Warragul and Australian Lions Foundation.
Cllnical operations director Trish O’Kelly said the equipment was a major boost to the hospital’s emergency department, medical unit and hospital in the home program.
“The Airvo units are especially needed for people with acute respiratory and breathing issues. This could be associated with asthma, influenza, pneumonia or any respiratory issue.
“The Airvos administer high-flow oxygen comfortably via the nose and their portability makes it easy for the patient to move around while receiving treatment.
“Having this equipment at the ready helps us to quickly stabilise the patient, reducing the need for further intervention and making the time to wellness a shorter road,” she said.
Ms O’Kelly said WGHG also was grateful for the five vital signs monitoring machines.
“The units enable 24 hour monitoring to measure a patient’s blood pressure, pulse and oxygen levels.
“To have five brand new machines that can be moved easily to the patient greatly assists our clinical staff to deliver a high quality of care,” she said.
The donation also has given the district nursing hospital in the home program its own dedicated vital signs monitoring unit. The team can take the portable machine to a patient in their home.
WGHG chief executive officer Dan Weeks and board chair Christine Holland acknowledged the hard working Lions Club and the many community members who supported the club’s fundraising activities over the past 12 months.
Warragul Lions Club president Michael Stephenson said the club was pleased its fundraising efforts brought such a benefit to the hospital and community.
“It gives enormous satisfaction to our club members knowing that their work makes a difference.
“With the easing recent of COVID-19 restrictions, the Warragul Lions are glad to be meeting again and returning to our normal fundraising activities including catering and selling Lions Christmas cakes,” he said.