Community
6 June, 2024
Donation secures extra safety layer
A GENEROUS donation will heighten the safety of patients at Terang and Mortlake Health Service (TMHS).
The Terang and Mortlake Health Service Ladies Auxiliary recently made a $5000 donation to support Terang Hospital in the purchase of an Optiflow THRIVE system.
In medical terms, the equipment is a transnasal humidified rapid-insufflation ventilatory exchange and nasal high flow therapy which optimises oxygenation during general anaesthesia, procedural sedation and postanesthetic recovery.
In simple terms, Terang and Mortlake Health Service registered perioperative nurse Jade Danby said the machine promotes a higher oxygen intake for patients, which is more comfortable and reduces the risk of complications when anaesthesia is used.
“The machine delivers a high concentration of body-temperature oxygen through the nose,” she said.
“This provides patients with a higher concentration of oxygen, which is more comfortable for the body to intake because it is humidified.
“It’s like when you walk out into a cold winter’s day and you breathe in and the cold, crisp air dries your nose out – this machine makes the air more like a tropical day in Darwin, which supports gas exchange.
“The warmer air goes deeper into the lungs which allows for more oxygen to be held, which then lowers the associated risks of anaesthesia use.”
Oxygenation during surgery is essential as anaesthesia can be tricky, despite being relatively safe for most patients.
The use of anaesthesia can reduce functional capacity and can lead to low levels of oxygen in the blood (hypoxemia), which can cause a number of complications.
The addition of a machine which more efficiently provides oxygen and lowers the associated risks is “awesome”, according to Terang Medical Clinic’s Dr Tim Fitzpatrick.
“It’s all about safety, helping people to breath with a higher flow of oxygen entering the lungs,” he said.
“It prolongs the period of time a patient can effectively hold their breath for during sedation.
“For this to be donated, giving us an extra layer of safety, is very much appreciated.”
Ms Danby offered her thanks to auxiliary members on behalf of TMHS staff, who can use their medical talents in conjunction with the machine to promote better outcomes.
“Something like this will benefit the community so much,” she said.
“We’re really grateful they’ve funded this, giving us more safety for our patients.”
TMHS Ladies Auxiliary president Bernadette McKinnon visited the hospital on Monday to see the machine and learn all about its benefits.
She said auxiliary members were always proud to support the dedicated work of TMHS staff in providing local services for the wider community when it is needed most.
“It’s great to be able to contribute money towards a machine which is going to contribute to the whole community,” she said.
“That’s what our aim is; to do as much as we can for our local hospital, to support our community and keep the hospital going.
“We want staff to have all the latest equipment that we can afford.
“We don’t have a lot of fundraisers but what we have is well supported by the community, which we’re very appreciative of.”
The next fundraiser for the TMHS Ladies Auxiliary will be the Jazz afternoon, expected to be held in July.
Mrs McKinnon said the community has always supported the event, with all proceeds going directly back in to the purchase of vital equipment to support TMHS.
“It’s always been very well attended and we hope it will be again this year,” she said.
Western District Newspapers will publish further information on the fundraiser closer to the date.