The Dorchester General Hospital Foundation has long been a force for good in the ongoing enhancement of medical care for Dorchester County residents, and 2018 is no exception. Under the continued guidance of Ida Jane Baker, president, the Foundation Board has dedicated $131,000 to support equipment purchases and professional development for nursing staff at UM Shore Medical Center at Dorchester.
“The majority of these funds— approaching $95,000—have supported the hospital’s surgery services,” says Baker. “We are so blessed to have a truly dedicated surgeon, Dr. William Bair, in our community, and an excellent surgical nursing team as well. The Foundation is pleased to help provide the tools they need to ensure the best possible patient care.”
The big ticket item purchased with these funds is a new anesthesia machine, which cost nearly $43,000 and was installed at the Dorchester hospital OR suite in late July 2018.
“The Foundation earmarked our end-of-year campaign to support this purchase, and the campaign has been well received,” says Baker. “We have been pleased to see that our donors and the Dorchester community at large understand the importance of updating this equipment. We want our anesthesiologists to have the latest technology to ensure the safety of every patient during every procedure.”
Other upgrades made possible by community support for the Foundation include new furnishings and décor upgrades to the waiting area, a GlideScope (video laryngoscopy technology that facilitates intubation), a cabinet for endoscopy equipment and new curtains in the Post-Anesthesia Care unit.
Baker is especially pleased that the Auxiliary of Dorchester General Hospital joined the Foundation in committing to this project. “Dorchester Auxiliary members voted to donate $28,000—more than half the total cost—to the Foundation, designated to support the purchase of the new anesthesia machine,” she explains. “The Foundation Board is so grateful for the Auxiliary’s support and also for the dedication of their many volunteers who help out in our hospital and raise funds through their special vendor sales, the hospital gift shop and The Robin Hood Shop.”
Other purchases made possible by the Foundation for the benefit of patient care in Dorchester include: three cardiac monitors for use in the Cardiac Rehabilitation Center; visitor chairs for the Emergency Department; two mechanized chairs that assist patients who need help transitioning from sit to stand; a bladder scanner with printer; and a blanket warmer. In addition, five operating room nurses received scholarship support from the Foundation enabling them to pursue specialized certification in perioperative nursing.
“The generosity of our local community in support of our hospital and its services continues to make an important difference in the quality of health care for Dorchester residents,” says Baker. “We greatly appreciate it.”