The ERBE is an electrosurgical system used for electrosurgical cutting, coagulation, and tissue removal during endoscopy procedures, whether for a routine follow-up for Cancer staging or lifesaving cauterization of a gastrointestinal bleed. This allows for cutting with minimal application of force. Many in-hospital patients require treatment in another department because they are unstable. The regular clinic in Ambulatory Care remains in operation during these times, leaving the Endoscopy unit without an ERBE. Obtaining a second ERBE will provide the ability to treat add-on inpatient cases without having to delay or cancel pre-booked patients receiving outpatient care.

Golvo Lifts assist residents up from their wheelchair or the floor in the event of a fall. They are very portable and can spread and contract to fit around other equipment or furniture. As well, their ergonomic design and light weight make them easy for staff to use. Each floor requires at least one Golvo Lift, and as such, each lift will service about 60 residents.

A rhapsody tub is a bathtub with a stand and lift, so it can be raised and lowered according to staff comfort. Residents often choose to have baths instead of a shower due to the comfort, relaxation and rejuvenation they provide. In addition to comfort, a bath also provides an opportunity to assess a resident’s skin health.

Wheelchair scales allow residents’ weight to be taken while seated in the comfort of their wheelchair. They also have a handrail to measure the weight of a resident who is standing. As well, they have an easy-to-read digital display, the ability to toggle between kilograms and pounds, and the option to take the net weight. Residents require their weight to be taken monthly, and in some cases, weekly, to ensure they are receiving proper nutrition and medication for optimal health and comfort.

A portable ultrasound machine allows ultrasounds to be taken at the point of care, increasing the efficiency of diagnosis and treatment. This new piece provides greatly improved image clarity from older models. Its clarity and mobility provide reliable second-screening diagnosis. This Portable Ultrasound will be used for approximately 45% of patients that are seen in Emergency.

A plinth chair focuses on patients’ comfort while providing a sturdy and adjustable work surface for clinic wound care. The legs on the plinth chair create a very natural seated position with the knees raised while providing a better position for the nurse to maintain proper body mechanics when providing wound care treatment. In addition, the nurse can also adjust the chair height and leg positions for easier access to hard-to-reach wounds. Every patient seen in the wound care clinic can be seen with the bariatric plinth chair.

Vital sign monitors allow for blood pressure, oxygen level, temperature and pulse monitoring. They come with a printer to allow the care providers to print out the results for easy entry into patient records. These monitors are frequently used and will allow physicians and nurses to make clinical decisions around what medications, tests, and treatments patients need. Between 50-80% of patients in Hospice will require vitals at some point during their stay, making them a very important tool for care.

The Cough Assist is a machine that blows air into the lungs and pulls it out quickly to clear mucus, similar to a normal deep breath or cough. It is essential for patients who have difficulty clearing secretions because they can’t independently perform a cough due to muscle weakness from injury or infection. Without a cough assist, these patients often end up needing a breathing tube inserted, which leads to a longer stay in the ICU and in hospital. In addition to decreased ICU and hospital admission time, obtaining this machine will limit the risks associated with Pneumonia.

A blood component freezer helps to maintain a consistent temperature for the plasma stored within it, as it is regulated with a chart recorder to document internal temperature continually. Plasma is used daily for many reasons, such as liver disease, many types of cancer, immune deficiencies, bleeding disorders, and transfusion protocols in emergency situations. Proper freezing of plasma is critical as it can extend its shelf life from one week to one year. The freezer is essential to store enough of all blood types on-site to service our growing community and diverse patient population.

It is best practice to continuously monitor an infant’s status while the mother is in active labour. This monitor allows infants to be monitored during the transportation of the mother from the maternity unit to the OR. This can alert the nurse to fetal/maternal emergency situations and facilitate the nurse taking corrective action or escalating the priority of the procedure to an emergency.

An AccuVein Vein Viewer is a small handheld laser camera projection that maps out peripheral veins on the skin. It improves first stick success, and decreases procedure time and patient pain, overall increasing patient comfort and satisfaction. It has many uses from improving the experience of a pediatric patient, to gaining life-saving IV access in an emergency.

Vital sign monitors allow for blood pressure, oxygen level, temperature and pulse monitoring. They come with a printer to allow the care providers to print out the results for easy entry into patient records. These monitors are frequently used and will allow physicians and nurses to make clinical decisions around what medications, tests, and treatments patients need. As infection control continues to be a priority, the spread of infectious diseases can be minimized by having patient-dedicated vital signs monitors at the head of each bed.

Vital sign monitors allow for blood pressure, oxygen level, temperature and pulse monitoring. They come with a printer to allow the care providers to print out the results for easy entry into patient records. These monitors are frequently used and will allow physicians and nurses to make clinical decisions around what medications, tests, and treatments patients need. As infection control continues to be a priority, the spread of infectious diseases can be minimized by having patient-dedicated vital signs monitors at the head of each bed.

Blue Light Cystoscopy is an important advance in bladder tumour detection involving a special chemical (Cysview) that is absorbed by bladder tumour tissue. With blue light equipment, the tumour tissue is identified as bright blue and pink, or fluorescence. This can make a small or difficult-to-see bladder tumour highly visible. With Blue Light technology, the rates of bladder tumour recurrence are lowered, lessening the need for invasive procedures and reducing the need for bladder checks. RMHF invested $83,000 donor dollars for a Blue Light System last year. This second camera for the Blue Light System would allow more patients to benefit from this technology.

Allen YelloFin Elite Stirrups enable safe and easy positioning while providing enhanced surgical access, and allow for easy adjustment in patients up to 500lbs. This is the primary stirrup of choice at RMH because it is suitable for any service that needs lithotomy position, padding for nerve protection, and easy movement during operation.

A fluid management system collects and monitors fluid levels to determine fluid absorption. It is used during hysteroscopy, polyp, and fibroid resections to monitor fluid. Continuous infusion of fluid is used for distension of the uterus, which allows for optimal visualization throughout the procedure. Fluid monitoring is important because fluid overload can occur during this process. This unit allows for vigilant monitoring of fluid during procedures to accurately measure fluid deficits, maintain consistent intrauterine distension, and ensure patient safety.

Sonosite Point-Of-Care Ultrasound System incorporates the most advanced image clarity to give clinicians an advanced level of confidence for diagnostic and procedural applications. It uses high-frequency sound waves to produce real-time dynamic images to identify bone, blood vessels, nerves, and soft tissue structures such as muscles and tendons. Using this machine, physicians can visualize the location for injection with 90-100% accuracy, resulting in less pain for the patient.

An AccuVein Vein Viewer is a small handheld laser camera projection that maps out peripheral veins on the skin. It improves first stick success, and decreases procedure time and patient pain, overall increasing patient comfort and satisfaction. It has many uses from improving the experience of a pediatric patient, to gaining life-saving IV access in an emergency.

This medical/surgical bed is designed with a focus on patient safety and clinical functionality. With its patented profiling system, integrated weighing scale, bed exit alarm and under-bed anti-entrapment sensors, this bed has been designed with the patient, caregiver, and facility in mind. It will increase patient comfort and will alert staff when a patient is trying to get up, hopefully preventing a fall.

The Arjo Air Mattress was designed for comfort without compromising therapy. Through various modes, air pressure can be redistributed to reposition patients for optimal comfort. It can be used across a wide range of patient risk categories and care settings. These new mattresses have valuable new technology and will replace worn-out mattresses.

The Atlanta Therapeutic Chair accommodates individuals who may be challenging to seat. This chair is widely used for patients with late-stage dementia, as well as for management of lower limb edema. The variable angle leg rest, used in combination with the integrated tilt and recline, helps to elevate the feet higher than the heart, which assists with fluid drainage. Additionally, individuals with tight hamstrings and contracted legs can also be accommodated due to the negative angle clearance under the seat. This chair is also specifically designed to decrease entrapment areas where bacteria and germs can survive and can be easily taken apart for quick and effective cleaning.

A bariatric ceiling lift makes allows for safe lift and transfer of people of all sizes in bed and within their room when they are unable to do so by themselves because of their medical status or disability. Improving the mobility of patients results in better patient outcomes, as it can decrease the length of stay in the hospital, and decrease hospital-acquired infections.

A bariatric wheelchair with pressure-relieving cushions is for patients admitted to the hospital. It promotes the early mobilization of patients with complex medical presentations. It also aids in rehabilitation, as patients gain strength by independently propelling themselves using their arms or feet, as well as getting out of bed and into the wheelchair. This wheelchair provides basic mobility and is required to meet the needs of our increasing bariatric population.

A recumbent elliptical provides an easy and effective low-impact total body workout. It combines a stable and stress-free recumbent position, with the natural feeling of walking. This machine is easily accessible for patients with low mobility, making it an important addition to the fleet of exercise equipment in our Physiotherapy department.

A Tilt-In-Space wheelchair helps to facilitate feeding and respiratory function, reduce pressure beneath the pelvis, and improve visual alignment by holding the head upright. This chair is required for patients that do not have trunk control to safely sit in a normal wheelchair, e.g. Stroke survivors. It allows Occupational and Physical Therapy to begin safely mobilizing patients earlier in their recovery, which is supported by research to have better patient outcomes.

An AccuVein Vein Viewer is a small handheld laser camera projection that maps out peripheral veins on the skin. It improves first stick success, and decreases procedure time and patient pain, overall increasing patient comfort and satisfaction. It has many uses from improving the experience of a pediatric patient, to gaining life-saving IV access in an emergency.

The EBUS Bronchoscope allows for samples to be collected from patients outside the visible airways by using a mini ultrasound at the end of the scope. This assists physicians in diagnosing lung cancer and the stage the cancer may be at, as well as diagnosing other medical conditions. Other bronchoscopes only examine the main airways, while the EBUS provides an image of the structures around the airways.

A ceiling lift is used to mobilize and transfer patients in bed and within their room when they are unable to do so by themselves because of their medical status or a disability. Improving the mobility of patients results in better patient outcomes, as it can decrease the length of stay in the hospital, and decrease hospital-acquired infections. The ceiling lift is also safer for staff to use.

The installation of a Telemetry Central Monitoring Station will allow 3W staff to monitor their cardiac patients safely and efficiently. Currently, telemetry patients on 3W are monitored on the central station in the ICU, and ICU staff are required to call or leave their unit to attend to patients on 3W. With new equipment and additional training of staff, 3W nurses will be able to provide consistent and safe care of telemetry patients. Acquisition of this piece will increase capacity for telemetry patients from 7 to 13.

Donations to the Baillie House Resident Council Fund supports recreation and program activities, special projects, and general comfort items to enhance the quality of life for residents of Baillie House.

We are pleased to support programs and initiatives in the community that encourage and promote healthy living.

As our front-line health care providers continue to face the unprecedented challenge of COVID-19, we are focusing our efforts on helping ensure that they have the resources and support they need. We have created the COVID-19 Response Fund and are working closely with our hospital to identify and meet additional needs as they arise. As the impacts of this crisis unfold within our community, the funds are distributed to the areas of greatest need at Ridge Meadows Hospital during this time.

These grants are awarded to our multi-disciplinary health care teams who work at Ridge Meadows Hospital and Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows Health Services for professional development.

These grants are awarded to departments for projects or resources that enhance or have a positive impact on patient care and innovative ideas that can help frontline staff do their jobs better or make their work more effective.

These grants are awarded to regular employees of Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows publicly funded health care facilities for professional development, higher education, and more.

Donations to McKenney Creek Hospice support the patients, staff, and volunteers who provide quality hospice, palliative, and end-of-life care to the patients and families in McKenney Creek Hospice.

If a patient is without clothes after an emergency procedure or receiving care for an extended period without basic hygiene tools, we can fulfill these needs. Our Patient Resource Cupboard provides items like basic hygiene necessities, simple clothing, shoes, spare readers, and hearing devices and batteries.

These funds support client comfort, education, equipment and special projects for the clients and families who use services of the pediatric department.

The Foundation is pleased to support new researchers/Principal Investigators to complete a definitive research study or to engage in preliminary research.

Our Social Work department provides lifestyle assistance through things like grocery cards, housekeeping vouchers, meal vouchers, and more to people who are unable to fulfill these needs in their life because of their health or barriers like having no family or support to assist them.

Vascular Lab Pilot Project at Ridge Meadows Hospital.

We are proud to sponsor the VolunTEEN Program at Ridge Meadows Hospital. Funds are used for expenses directly related to the VolunTEEN Program and may include items such as t-shirts and orientation expenses.

The Foundation is proud to continue to support the mental health and well-being of youth in our community through Foundry Ridge Meadows—a “one-stop shop” where young people aged 12-24 can access mental health, primary care, substance use, peer support, and social services such as employment support.