Donation to KGH Neonatal unit helps babies breathe easier

Photo: KGH Foundation

Nurses in the NICU at Kelowna General Hospital are grateful for the additional pediatric ventilator funded by TB Vets.

Kelowna General Hospital will soon have a new tool to help critically ill babies get the care they need.

The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Kelowna General Hospital will be receiving another Servo-n Neonatal Ventilator to provide neonatal patients with tailored respiratory support to protect their vital organs.

The latest life-saving technology will arrive in the coming month's thanks in part to TB Vets. The longstanding charitable foundation has approved a grant for $55,640 to fund an additional Servo-n Neonatal Ventilator for the KGH unit. The grant is part of $1.1-million in funding provided this year by TB Vets to hospitals and first responders across B.C.

TB Vets has been helping to equip the medical frontline here in B.C. as they fight for respiratory care by providing critical respiratory equipment, research, and education.

The timing couldn't be much better as the additional Servo-n Neonatal Ventilator is needed to ensure the best possible care for the KGH NICU’s most critically ill babies continues to rise.

“Consistency is critical, as change is often difficult for the infants to adapt to,” says Bonnie Wilkie, KGH Pediatric Educator and NICU nurse. “The ventilators have proven to be an effective support and in some cases, have eradicated the need for intubation as the babies have responded so favourably.”

The COVID-19 pandemic has presented nurses and physicians with challenges and uncertainty, "nurses and physicians have been working tirelessly to ensure they deliver the highest quality of care to their tiny, vulnerable patients," says Wilkie. The new equipment ensures the NICU can allow infants to remain on one ventilator throughout the duration of their care.

“We are now in our second year of the pandemic, and although life is slowly getting back to normal, hospitals are still having to treat many COVID-19 patients, putting great pressure on the healthcare system,” says TB Vets CEO, Kandys Merola.

“It is essential that we help hospitals buy new equipment that will support our province’s medical frontline heroes during the pandemic and beyond. This year’s record $1.1-million in grants has been made possible because of the generosity of TB Vets donors who contribute to our Key Tag program. We also have a growing number of donors who have included TB Vets in their Wills, ensuring that respiratory care in BC continues to improve and grow for years to come."

TB Vets was started as an initiative to support WWII veterans suffering from tuberculosis and has evolved over time to arm the medical frontline in the fight for respiratory care by funding respiratory equipment, research, education and therapy programs.