TB Vets donors are instrumental in arming the frontline of respiratory care in BC communities. One case in point is Royal Inland Hospital (RIH) in Kamloops, where it holds the busiest trauma unit in the Interior. Here, another TB Vets-funded equipment has been significant in helping respiratory therapists and physicians save lives.
The respiratory equipment, called a GlideScope Advanced Video Laryngoscope, provides a real-time view of a patient’s airway. Its large, full-colour screen helps with accurate tube placement especially for patients with unpredictable airways.
“It is [also] a great teaching tool. It allows a mentor to follow along with the novice user during intubation by observing the GlideScope monitor. The mentor can provide tips, offer encouragement or redirection, and anticipate the next step. This coaching leads to fewer complications and better patient outcomes,” adds Christopher Maki, Professional Practice Lead for Respiratory Therapy at RIH.
Any patient—child or adult— experiencing respiratory distress will potentially require the TB Vets-funded device in order for medical staff to manage their airway. This includes trauma, stroke, head injury, pneumonia and drug overdose patients.
The Emergency Department at RIH sees over 70,000 patients annually. On average, a GlideScope is used in the trauma room five times per week. This means approximately 260 patients per year are given the opportunity to breathe.
Thanks to TB Vets donors like you, the medical team at RIH are equipped with the proper tools and training, allowing them to always be on the ready to save lives.*
*Photo: Drew Bonthoux, Registered Respiratory Therapist, Royal Inland Hospital
