Battlefords Union Hospital Foundation is benefiting from a $50,000 grant from BATC Community Development Corporation.
The money goes to the hospital's purchase of three new infant warmers for Women's Health and Birthing Centre. That equipment helps maintain a baby's temperature post-delivery, which is important in keeping them warm as newborns' temperatures drop quickly after birth.
The three new Infant Warmers will mean BUH will have one infant warmer in each of the four birthing rooms, which helps the units comply with new Neonatal Resuscitation Program regulations as well as best practice within the WHBC.
"We extend our heartfelt gratitude to BATC CDC for their support and giving back to enrich healthcare in the Battlefords," said Brenda Sparrow, BUH Foundation volunteer chairperson. "There is always a need and many times BATC CDC has been able to fill that need and make possible the purchase of new equipment to enrich patient care for the members of our community. We are pleased to partner with BATC CDC and thank them for their generosity."
"We are so pleased to receive the new infant warmers for WHBC," said Pamela Plummer, nurse manager WHBC.
"We have around 600 babies born every year at BUH and have seen an increase in medium risk births. Up-to-date medical equipment is important to care for these young lives and the new infant warmers will allow us to continue to provide this high standard of care required and expected. Thank you to BATC CDC for supporting this purchase and helping to make it happen."
According to the hospital's news release, these are "equipped with the latest in technology and medical standards with integrated resuscitation equipment, always available with minimal setup for high risk deliveries, and an integrated SpO2 system to monitor oxygen saturation and heart rate without additional equipment. The focus of the equipment is to provide quality care and a warm environment necessary for babies to thrive and have a healthy start in life."
In 2012, BATC CDC contributed to the purchase of two BiliSoft LED Phototherapy Systems, to allow caregivers to wrap a baby in a blanket and hold them during jaundice treatment. Funding also went towards an infant incubator that creates a healing environment that promotes growth and stability for newborns.
Other funding went to purchase pediatric cribs for WHBC and surgery, an endoscopic tower for surgery, a transport ventilator for the emergency department and a bronchoscope for intensive care. BATC CDC also sponsors and is a participant in the BUH Foundation's Festival of Trees. Overall they have contributed more than $600,000 to the BUH Foundation since 2007.
