Frontline hospital workers are getting more equipment thanks to the New Brunswick COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund.
The Saint John Regional Hospital will receive a hands-free CPR device known as a LUCAS chest compression system.
It will perform chest compressions automatically, without the need for someone to physically administer CPR.
“We have used this device many times in our hospital, to great effect. Having another allows it to be dedicated to our COVID-19 unit, for faster, contained use,” said Dr. James French, lead of the COVID-19 emergency response in the Saint John Regional Hospital’s emergency department, in a release.
The Saint John Regional Hospital, The Moncton Hospital, the Miramichi Regional Hospital, the Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital in Fredericton and the Upper River Valley Hospital in Waterville will also have new technology installed in isolation rooms.
It will allow staff to monitor and communicate with patients while minimizing the need for a doctor or nurse having to don personal protective equipment to enter the room.
“This will enhance existing patient monitoring capabilities and help optimize our personal protective equipment use,” said Jennifer Sheils, chief information officer with Horizon Health Network, in the release.
The new tools are being purchased by the Saint John Regional Hospital Foundation through its COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund at a cost of just under $275,000.
Established in March, the fund is meant to help the areas of greatest need in provincial health-care facilities.
The fund has raised more than $1.1 million, which includes a $1-million donation made by the Arthur L. Irving Family Foundation.
Other recent purchases include updated equipment to test for COVID-19 and two portable ECMO life support machines, which oxygenate the blood and gives the lungs a rest.
“We are deploying our resources across the entire province to help fight this pandemic. Whether that’s now, or during a second or third wave, we want to make sure our frontlines have the best resources at their disposal when they need them,” said Jeff McAloon, CEO of the Saint John Regional Hospital Foundation.
“The benefit of these purchases is they will not only help COVID-19 care right now but will be utilized extensively when the pandemic has subsided.”
