With the support and generosity of an anonymous community donor, the Dorchester General Hospital Foundation recently purchased a new pediatric scale for the Emergency Department at University of Maryland Shore Medical Center at Dorchester.
According to Cathy Weber, RN, BSN, CEN, manager of Emergency Services at the Medical Center, a pediatric scale is a critical piece of equipment in an emergency care setting. “When treating pediatric patients in our Emergency Department, obtaining an accurate weight is imperative when administering medications, as dosing amounts for infants and toddlers are determined by weight,” she comments.
The new scale will record weights up to 130 pounds, which is also helpful when treating older children who do not have the physical or mental ability to stand on a traditional scale.
Ruth Ann Jones, interim chief nursing officer, UM Shore Regional Health remarks, “Our team strives to provide patient and family-centered care, which is based on the understanding that family members are a patient’s primary source of support and strength, especially when caring for our youngest patients. We understand how upsetting it is for parents to see their children sick, and how frightening it can be for those children when in need of medical care. Recognizing this, we make it a priority to offer highly skilled, compassionate care using the most appropriate equipment to ensure the health and safety of our community’s tiniest members.”
“The Foundation has the highest regard for the generous members of our local community, who make it possible for the Foundation to fund much needed equipment and services at Shore Medical Center at Dorchester,” comments Ida Jane Baker, president, Dorchester General Hospital Foundation. “Every donation received, no matter the amount, is used to achieve our ultimate goal – to provide the highest quality medical care to our friends and neighbors visiting our hometown hospital.”
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