Starry Nights Hopes to Add Two Major Items to the 100 Mile General Hospital this Year

The Lights are going up on the 100 Mile General Hospital for the Starry Nights Campaign.

The South Cariboo Health Foundation (SCHF)’s Starry Nights Campaign officially light-up ceremony is just under one month from now, though Danielle Sabiston, Public Relations and Fundraiser Coordinator for the South Cariboo Health Foundation says that they have already begun to accept donations for the Linking Lives: Health Care at the Speed of Light Campaign.

The SCHF’s goal this year is hoping to raise at least $90,000 to purchase two looking to add two major items that will greatly improve the General Hospital’s ability for patient care in the trauma bay. Sabiston says these two items were “in high demand” by the hospital.

The first item is a video conferencing system with a 55 inch monitor and a 360 degree interactive camera that may go directly in the operating room.

“This will be a really valuable piece of equipment, that will bring new technology and new skills in our trauma bay,” Sabiston explains. “This is going to allow the staff to consult with specialized professionals from other hospitals during the trauma. They will be able to receive guidance from these specialists when preforming procedures.. The only thing we have similar to this tech would be holding your phone up and doing a video conference.”

The second item is a five draw omni cell automatic medication dispensing system that will be in the trauma room.

Currently hospital staff have to leave the trauma room to gather medication from “locked boxes”.

Sabitson says that the hospital does not have many staff working at one time, that as of now getting a patient, potentially one in critical condition their medication can leave them unmonitered.

“It’s[the medication dispensing system] really going to save a lot of time, and allow the nurses to focus on patient care.” Sabiston says. “These dispensing systems are used in hospitals quite widely. They help reduce errors and waste, they improve accuracy, and takes away from the human resource so that the nurses can be better used taking care of the actual patients.”

The SCHF is accepting donations now. Donations can be dropped off at the rear entrance of the South Cariboo Health Centre, paid via PayPal by going to southcariboohealthfoundation.com, or by Mail to the Bag.

Sabiston says that the community is invited to the Starry Nights official light-up ceremony on Saturday, November 23, just after the Santa Claus Parade at 5:30 pm. There will be snacks and refreshments.