In recognition of a generous anonymous $20,000 donation supporting the purchase of portable cardiac monitors for the HGMH Emergency Department. From left: Mark Adam, Chair of Hôpital Glengarry Memorial Hospital Foundation; Mario Riggio, President of the HGMH Auxiliary; Robert Alldred-Hughes, CEO of Hôpital Glengarry Memorial Hospital; and Kelsey Duval, RN, MScN, Manager, Emergency Department & Respiratory Care.
Alexandria, ON – An anonymous donor has made a $20,000 gift to Hôpital Glengarry Memorial Hospital Foundation to support the purchase of portable cardiac monitoring equipment for the Emergency Department at Hôpital Glengarry Memorial Hospital (HGMH).
The gift will help replace obsolete cardiac monitors with modern, portable technology that allows healthcare professionals to continuously monitor patients at the bedside and as they move through the hospital.
The donation also highlights an important reality for HGMH: while the Foundation’s $3.5-million CT scanner campaign remains a major priority, the hospital must continue investing in other medical equipment at the same time.
“Building stronger rural healthcare is about increasing the level and range of care our hospital can safely provide,” said Mark Adam, Chair of Hôpital Glengarry Memorial Hospital Foundation. “That means ensuring our healthcare teams have access to up-to-date equipment and technology, from a major investment like a CT scanner to portable equipment like these cardiac monitors. These tools are made possible through the generosity of donors who step up to help equip our hospital with what our teams need to care for patients.”
“The CT scanner will expand the diagnostic care available at HGMH, while the portable monitors allow our team to continuously track vital signs as patients move through the hospital,” Adam added. “Every one of these investments strengthens the care we can provide right here at HGMH.”
The Philips IntelliVue X3 is a compact monitor that tracks vital signs including ECG, blood pressure and oxygen saturation. It can remain with patients during transport, allowing monitoring to continue as they move to other areas of the hospital.
According to Kelsey Duval, RN, MScN, Manager, Emergency Department & Respiratory Care, the monitors can be used for patients experiencing chest pain or suspected cardiac problems, shortness of breath, trauma, serious infections, strokes and other acute medical conditions.
“Patients in an Emergency Department can change quickly,” said Duval. “Continuous monitoring gives the care team an ongoing picture of important vital signs, making it easier to recognize when something is beginning to change.”
The monitors can also accompany patients to X-ray and, once HGMH’s onsite CT scanner is operational, to the CT department while maintaining continuous cardiac monitoring.
“Having reliable, modern equipment gives our healthcare teams the tools they need to provide safe, high-quality care with confidence,” said Robert Alldred-Hughes, President and CEO of HGMH. “For a rural hospital like HGMH, the more capability we have here at home, the better positioned we are to safely care for patients in our community and avoid unnecessary transfers to larger centres.”
Medical equipment is an ongoing need at HGMH as older equipment reaches the end of its useful life and technology continues to advance.
“The CT scanner is an incredibly important project for HGMH, but it is not our only equipment need,” Alldred-Hughes added. “Mobile cardiac monitors may not have the same visibility as a CT scanner, but they are incredibly important to the patients who need them and to the teams caring for those patients. Donations like this allow us to respond to those needs and continue strengthening the care available in our community.”
For Duval and the Emergency Department team, the impact of the gift is immediate.
“From our entire ED team, thank you for your incredibly generous gift,” said Duval. “Your support has allowed us to replace our obsolete cardiac monitors with portable, up-to-date equipment, helping us provide safer care for our patients. We are truly grateful.”
The donor has chosen to remain anonymous.
Hôpital Glengarry Memorial Hospital Foundation continues to raise funds for the CT scanner campaign and for priority medical equipment and other needs identified by HGMH. Community support is essential. Whether helping fund a major project like the CT scanner or essential equipment used in day-to-day patient care, donors play a direct role in strengthening what HGMH can provide for patients and families across our rural community.
To learn more or to make a donation, visit www.hgmhfoundation.org.
The Philips IntelliVue cardiac monitor is portable technology that allows HGMH’s Emergency Department team to continuously monitor patients’ vital signs while supporting safe and efficient care. A generous anonymous $20,000 donation will help Hôpital Glengarry Memorial Hospital Foundation fund this essential equipment for the Emergency Department.
