MedEquip4Kids

MedEquip4Kids is raising funds to provide a range of medical equipment needed at Tameside General Hospital to improve care in the neo natal and children’s units. The new equipment will make a real difference to staff and patients, giving young people a better experience of hospital treatment.

Children’s Unit: Cardiac monitor

A Carescape cardiac monitor will provide safe care for respiratory patients and those being treated by Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). The monitor allows a patient to have continuous cardiac monitoring whilst they are on a medication infusion. They are mainly used on patients who have taken overdoses and have to have an infusion of medication to help protect their liver, as well as patients on continuous insulin infusions, or patients on lifesaving asthma medication. When the medication infusions are running, it is very important to monitor the child’s heart rhythm and be able to recognise any abnormal readings.

Children’s Unit: Specialised cots

The cots used on the children’s unit are worn and need upgrading. This year new regulations for cots are being released, so it is expected that the new cots will be designed around childcare and handing and will make a positive difference to the safety and the comfort of the patient. They will be easy to use and maintain, helping to deliver the highest standard of hygiene, and will have special features to care for acutely ill children.

Children’s Unit: Blood pressure monitors

When children are admitted to hospital, a set of observations is carried out by a member of staff on each patient, and repeated regularly throughout their stay to pick up any underlying problems. These monitors help staff to quickly and accurately assess vital signs with minimal intrusion. Having more of these machines will help to improve the flow of patients through the department.

Neo Natal Unit: Apnoea monitors

Apnoea monitors are used when a baby is asleep. They alert the medical team to any changes in a baby’s breathing, so they can intervene. They allow a swift response to avoid oxygen deprivation. Respiration monitors for apnoea detection are used for babies in the neo natal unit at Tameside General Hospital to progress from intensive/high dependency care to special care. This gives the parents reassurance that their baby is doing well and is moving towards discharge home without any monitoring.

Community Team: Pulse oximeters

The Tameside and Glossop Children’s Community Team supports the neo natal unit by enabling babies to be discharged home on oxygen where required and reducing acute hospital admissions by giving support and advice to families at home. A handheld oxygen saturation monitor (pulse oximeter) is needed for each baby. These babies remain under the care of a consultant with a clear weaning plan for their oxygen. There has been an increased number of babies discharged with oxygen, highlighting the need for more monitors in order to manage them safely at home.

If you could help provide life saving equipment to the Tameside General Hospital please pledge and donate today!

Can you help provide a vein finder for Royal Preston Hospital?

The AccuVein AV500 is a handheld medical device that illuminates veins below the skin. Blood tests and cannulation are common procedures for diagnoses, assessment and treatment. However, veins in children and babies are not always visible to the naked eye, so can be difficult for medical staff to access. The illuminating device allows the clinician to see and access them more easily. The efficiency of the AccuVein AV500 device helps to reduce stress and pain for the baby or child and avoids the need for sedation. It is important for children in an emergency where time is critical to give lifesaving intravenous treatment.

This year we’re raising funds for another AccuVein AV500 for the children’s daycare unit at Royal Preston Hospital. The device will be used by both nurses and doctors to help treat over 2,000 children a year. Senior Staff Nurse Abigail Pemberton at Royal Preston says: “Taking bloods and siting cannulas is 70% of our workload. Our aim is to provide the best possible care by making this a painless and positive experience. This can be very challenging when veins are not visible and the vein finder is an invaluable tool which helps to identify veins and makes a huge difference to the child’s experience.”

MedEquip4Kids has previously provided similar AccuVein AV400 units for a number of other hospitals, which has resulted in very positive feedback from staff and patients, as illustrated in the following comments.

“The team are really appreciative of this equipment as it now ensures staff can always wear gloves when trying to feel for veins that have previously been difficult to palpate, which given the current pandemic is even more essential.” Donna Poole, nurse manager, Sheffield Children’s Hospital.

“The doctors and staff think it is brilliant, helping find difficult veins on patients of all ages. It makes the blood test/cannula procedure quicker, smoother and much easier for the patient. The AccuVein is also perfect for role play during specialised sessions for needle-phobic young patients.” Jeanette Burden, play specialist, Stepping Hill Hospital.

“The AccuVein has made the cannulation of babies and children easier and less stressful for patients. It has reduced the time taken to cannulate and the number of attempts made. This in turn has made it less stressful and traumatic for our young patients, reducing anxiety for parents or carers as well as for the child.” Jane Dutton, Ward Manager, Tameside General Hospital.

If your business would like to donate to this project, or provide funding for our charity please pledge and donate today!