Local hospital foundation compiles list of Christmas wishes

Ridge Meadows Hospital Foundation is asking for the community’s support to make sure patients receive the best care possible at Christmas and throughout the year.

The doctors, nurses, and staff at Ridge Meadows Hospital have chosen the most urgently needed pieces of life-saving equipment to put on a Christmas wishlist.

“Every dollar counts,” said the hospital foundation’s Annika Polegato. “Whether you can afford $5 or $5,000, please consider making your donation to your hospital this year.”

The wishlist includes:

• A remote cardiac monitor for the emergency department ($10,000) allows staff to monitor patients who come to the ER with chest pains. This device alerts care providers of any changes in the patient’s condition.

• A fetal monitor with telemetry ($30,000) gives birthing mothers the freedom to move around, while carefully monitoring the baby’s vital signs before delivery.

• A slide stainer ($20,000) lets technologists examine and clearly identify unusual cells in blood tests. The current slide stainer is aging, and slides often need to be redone. For patients in active labour, or critically ill, the time spent waiting for a new slide can seem like a lifetime.

• An OR fracture table ($90,000) allows surgeons to perform a variety of procedures with greater efficiency, and increases care for patients and surgical teams alike.

To make your gift please visit www.rmhfoundation.com or mail a donation to Ridge Meadows Hospital Foundation, Box 5000, 11666 Laity St, Maple Ridge, V2X 7G5. You can also call 604-463-1822 to make your donation, or ask for more information.