THE pandemic may long be gone in the minds of many, but hospitals are still faced with a shortage of medical equipment. Every day we see the impact of not having enough equipment for our population needs, but Fraser Valley Health Care Foundation says it is committed to helping deliver excellence in health care.
Today, there is a pressing need for making the hospital in Abbotsford as accessible as possible for persons of limited mobility.
In 2008, Abbotsford Regional Hospital (ARH) had 88 basic wheelchairs in circulation to support patient care and staff safety. This number, according to occupational therapist—clinical lead—Nicole Koehn, “has dwindled down to 40 wheelchairs for all our acute units.”
He adds: “With approximately 400 acute care beds at ARH, 40 wheelchairs are simply not meeting our patient and staff needs. Not having adequate wheelchairs available on the units limits staff ability to get their patients out of bed to support early mobilization and prevent deconditioning, and other hospital acquired impairments”.
The local hospital needs your help today to help provide safe quality care to patients-in-need. The 40 wheelchairs, including the speciality equipment, and cushions costs approximately $206,500.
As Koehn reminds us: “Quality of care is significantly impacted when a patient’s ability to leave their room to enjoy amenities such as green spaces and live music (in the atrium) is negated. We need your help to get wheelchairs back on the units at ARH. Let’s give patients the equipment they need to focus on their wellness goals while they recover in hospital”.
The Foundation is requesting the community to reach out to it if you would like to organize your own fundraiser or donate directly to help get wheelchairs for patient wellness.
To support this project, please contact Dr. Lakhbir Jassal, Fraser Valley Health Care Foundation: Lakhbir.Jassal@fraserhealth.ca.
The Fraser Valley Health Care Foundation raises funds for vital equipment and programs funded or endorsed by the Fraser Health Authority. They serve the communities of Abbotsford, Mission, Chilliwack, Hope, Agassiz and Harrison Hot Springs.
