Operating room options

Prince County Hospital Foundation launches $1.5M-appeal for needed surgical equipment

Two years ago, Lori Pomeroy’s son, Campbell, was rushed to the emergency room at Summerside’s Prince County Hospital with flu-like symptoms that had persisted for days.

It was no normal flu — Campbell’s body was quickly “shutting down” and he required emergency surgery.

While in surgery, it was discovered that his bowel had twisted and ruptured and he was septic. It was determined he had Meckel’s Diverticulum and he consequently had 60 cm of his small intestine removed.

Ideally, Campbell would have been airlifted to IWK in Halifax, but he was not stable enough to be transported.

“It is unimaginable to think what our story would be if these services were not available at the PCH,” said Pomeroy.

“Without the teams in emergency services, the operating room and the equipment used that day at the PCH, our son would not have made it. We are forever grateful that we can share this miraculous story.”

Surgeries like Campbell’s were made possible because of the hospital’s surgical team and the equipment purchased through donations from the community.

This year, a $1.5-million replacement of equipment and technology is needed in the

hospital’s operating room, part of a larger $2.5-million appeal that includes needs from equipment for many departments at Prince County Hospital.

The last time the surgical unit received a large-scale advancement in technology was in 2005, during the infancy of the “new” PCH, when the operating rooms were outfitted for minimally invasive surgery — equipment that was the first of its kind in P.E.I.

A key ingredient is an upgrade to the hospital’s

“integrated OR,” in which users can easily route cameras and effectively control surgical equipment.

When integrated, all technology can be controlled from a central console by one operator.

Donation packages for the equipment appeal are in mailboxes now and gifts can be made securely online at pchcare.com or by calling 902-4322547.

A full list of needs is also available on the website.

SUBMITTED PHOTO Dr. Alfredo Campos, left, tests potential new imaging equipment for the operating rooms during a recent ear procedure at Prince County Hospital.

SUBMITTED PHOTO Two years ago, Campbell Pomeroy was diagnosed with Meckel’s Diverticulum and received a life-saving emergency surgery at the Prince County Hospital. He’s pictured here with his mother, Lori Pomeroy.