VJHF Fall 2022 Newsletter

Heart Beat

You Can Help Save Lives

Help us get over the finish line

With your support, we can help bring critical scans, diagnoses and life-saving treatments to people in our community.

Throughout our North Okanagan communities, there are currently more than 2,000 people on a waitlist for CT scans. With average wait times of 68 days, there’s an urgent need for a second CT scanner to keep up with demand. By doubling the capacity within the Medical Imaging Department at VJH, we can help many more people get timely diagnosis and care.

I’ve Been Given More Chances at Life

Life-saving CT scans for young mom

At 38 years old, Leanne Ramsay knows all too well the benefits of having access to a CT scanner. Fast diagnoses and treatments through CT scans have helped save her life, not once, or even twice, but three times. The young mother was working full-time as a mental health worker for Interior Health when she felt a lump in her breast. After an urgent mammogram and ultrasound, she received the words no one wants to hear: “You have breast cancer.”

She had already started chemotherapy treatments when a routine follow-up CT scan changed her life yet again. They found a tumour on her spine resulting in more chemotherapy, a full hysterectomy and a bilateral mastectomy.

After nearly two years of treatments, she was in remission and well enough that she could finally return to work. However, three weeks later, she had a terrible pain in her stomach that would not go away. She called an ambulance and was rushed to the Vernon Jubilee Hospital’s Emergency Department where she was diagnosed with acute appendicitis.

Her surgery was scheduled for the next day, but when the doctors viewed her CT scan, they saw something suspicious on her right kidney: It was cancer, again. Leanne was diagnosed with cancer for the third time in three years. This time, treatment meant surgery to remove her kidney followed by regular CT scans every three months to monitor her condition.

“There are so many times that I think, ‘I probably wouldn’t be here today without these CT scans.’ I’m sharing my story because this experience has taught me what a privilege it is to grow old. Now I can see my son graduate high school, get married, and get to know my grandchildren. I’ve been given more chances at life due to the early diagnoses that I’ve received,” says Leanne.

New, next-generation CT scans produce even sharper images with faster scan times. This improved technology means patients benefit from less invasive treatments and more life-saving procedures, ultimately reducing wait times by more than 50 per cent.

Thanks to the generosity of our community so far, we’ve reached a huge milestone. We’re only $900,000 short of the $6.3 million needed to double CT scanner capacity.

This year, your Light a Bulb gift will help us get over the finish line. We’re almost there, and every gift counts. Help us improve timely access to lifesaving scans.

“I want everyone in our community to have timely access to a lifesaving diagnosis and treatment, as I have.”

North Okanagan Cataract Patients

Seeing and Smiling

New eye surgery equipment at Armstrong Vision Centre a clear win

Morethan 6,500 people have regained eyesight and quality of life thanks to life-changing cataract surgeries at the Armstrong Lions Vision Centre in the last three years. With recent equipment upgrades, patients are leaving the operating room with an even better chance of a great outcome.

With the support of the Jim and Laverne Popowich Foundation, the Armstrong Lions Vision Centre received new equipment that reduces the risk of eye injury during surgery and brings comfort with a new surgical chair.

The previous standard Centurion Vision System required the nursing team to adjust intraocular pressure through the console. With the Active Sentry upgrade, the surgeon has more control with a custom handpiece—reducing the risk of eye injury, potential unsuccessful placement of the new lens and postoperative infection.

Helping Jaundiced Newborns Get

Home Sooner

Latest mobile light therapy lets families stay in Vernon

The birth of a baby is such a special time for families, but for some, the journey of starting life at home together is delayed by longer hospital stays or even getting transferred to another facility.

At Vernon Jubilee Hospital, as many as three babies a week are born with jaundice, a condition that gives the skin and eyes a yellow tint, which requires intensive phototherapy. Thanks to a generous donation by the annual Cops for Kids fundraiser, newborns can now recover from jaundice sooner—anywhere in the Women’s and Children’s Health Services (WCHS) unit.

Cops for Kids cycled more than 1,000 kilometres across the Southern Interior to raise funds for a neoBLUE® LED Phototherapy System for WCHS. Its mobile phototherapy light means babies can safely receive the blue light treatment in incubators, Panda Warmers and even their parent's arms.

“We know the financial struggle that families face in an already stressful time when they need to travel for medical care outside of their home community. We’re thrilled that this piece of equipment means parents can have their babies treated right here in Vernon,” says Const. Nick Reimann, Cops for Kids Director and BC Highway Patrol.

“Knowing that so many families will benefit from this technology is why we work so hard each year on our fundraising.”

The new system is more compact, versatile and can be used anywhere in the unit as needed.

For the nurses and health care practitioners at the Centre, knowing that they have the right equipment helps them thrive in their practice.

“The system uses new technology to mitigate fluctuations in eye pressures during surgery. This then reduces the frequency of complications due to intraoperative pressure surges,” says Dr. Sundeep Uppal, Ophthalmologist, Armstrong Vision Centre. “Previously, some patients would have to travel to an alternative site for a second surgery. This means reduced frequency of complication, less burden on our patients and better patient outcomes.”

Trauma patients at Vernon Jubilee Hospital are also benefitting from the upgrades in Armstrong. The equipment replaced by the new Centurion Vision System is now used to help treat between 10 and 15 trauma cases per year at the hospital.

Panda Warmers Keep Newborns and Parents Together

PureCountry Radiothon helps give babies the best start in life

After giving birth, the first flicker of relief for Stephanie Mundle was that her daughter was here, and she would be well. The second was knowing her newborn would be able to stay right by her side in a Panda Warmer.

Stephanie, a mother of three and registered doula, had witnessed many times what a difference Panda Warmers make in providing warmth and oxygen for newborns while staying within arm’s reach of parents.

“Having my daughter Henley in a Panda Warmer in my room made all the difference. I could look over and see her arms and legs moving, and my partner was able to see and talk to both of us,” says Stephanie.

“It helped us make emotional and physical bonds with her. I know from professional experience that these warmers have a tremendous impact on families.”

Thanks to our caring community and this year’s PureCountry Have a Heart Radiothon, the hospital received a new Panda Warmer to support Women's and Children’s Health Services. Every newborn uses this equipment at least once during their stay: first for weigh-in, and for continuous monitoring by nurses

and physicians as needed. The Panda Warmer also acts as the main resuscitation system for newborns.

In addition to replacing a 15-yearold unit, two wireless monitors were also purchased with Radiothon funds. The new wireless monitors make it possible for women to move about freely during labour, while fetal heart monitors evaluate the baby’s heart rate.

Easing the Endof-Life Journey

New bedding gives comfort to those in athome palliative care

New bedding for palliative patients at home in Armstrong, Spallumcheen and Enderby brings warmth and dignity during end-of-life care—and that makes all the difference. Thanks to the generosity of the Armstrong Spallumcheen Healthcare Auxiliary and volunteers at the Bargain Bin, nursing staff in the North Okanagan received 300 new slider sheets and soaker pads.

Designed to reduce friction and make repositioning and transferring easier, slider sheets help keep both the patient and caregiver comfortable, while the new soaker pads offer improved skin protection by absorbing excess liquid. This helps patients stay dry while also safeguarding mattresses and linens.

Nurses and care aides say the new bedding provides dignity and well-being for palliative care patients when being visited by loved ones and receiving special care in the comfort of their own homes.

‘A Game-changer for Our Community’

Light a Bulb 2021 helps patients breathe easier

Better support when they need it most—that’s the gift holiday donors gave to Vernon Jubilee Hospital patients last year.

The VJH Foundation’s 34th annual Light a Bulb appeal saw tremendous community support and raised more than $440,000. That astounding total helped purchase two much-needed ventilators for the VJH Respiratory Department, including one that helps newborns get more skin-to-skin contact.

“With larger interfaces and increased sensitivities to better support all patients at their most ill, the ventilators are truly a game-changer for our community.”

Laura Goplen, Registered Respiratory Therapist

“They’re very compact and have almost silent internal turbines to generate flow, resulting in no longer needing hospital compressed air. They’re also more user friendly for our teams,” says Laura.

In addition, a ventilator tester was also purchased to reduce equipment downtime and support the hospital’s growing requirements.

And, with the tremendous success of the Light a Bulb campaign, the Vernon Jubilee Hospital also received two portable x-ray machines.

Chosen by staff as an urgent need, the digital x-ray machines get patients their results faster by developing an image within seconds without the need for a separate processing station. This means x-ray technicians can work faster without having to leave the patient’s side.

From January to December 2021, more than 8,300 patients required x-rays in the Emergency Department, ICU and other hospital departments.

Portable Gaming Helps Youth Mental Health

Entertainment centre promotes calm in the Emergency Department

The new Starlight Fun Center®— an entertainment system with a flat-screen TV, Nintendo Switch and DVD player—is having a positive impact on patients during Emergency Department admissions.

Youth with mental health concerns in VJH emergency often have their personal electronics withheld for their own safety. The new portable system gives these patients a safe source of entertainment.

A new mobile gaming cart is reducing anxiety and stress for young patients when they need it the most.

“Our mental health patients often spend several days in a small space with little opportunity for activities or distractions while awaiting admission to a bed,” says Sarah Kohlman, Manager of Clinical Operations, VJH Emergency Department.

“Providing access to the Fun Center is an excellent distraction and helps fill time while patients are waiting in the Emergency Department,” says Sarah. “As much as the unit provides entertainment and makes our patients’ stay a bit more comfortable, it is often a tool used by nursing to help de-escalate our mental health patients.”

The Hospital Foundation purchased the system from the Starlight Foundation through generous community donations.

Fish Tank Brings Joy to Noric House Residents

Colourful electric aquarium reminds residents of home

Music Keeps Seniors Active and Engaged

‘Peace of Mind’ for Patients and Nursing Staff in Armstrong

Pleasant Valley Health Centre gets two new wound carts

Patients at Armstrong’s Pleasant Valley Health Centre are getting better and faster care thanks to a community donation.

With the generosity of the Armstrong Spallumcheen Healthcare Auxiliary, two new wound care carts were purchased to help medical teams access the supplies they need without having to leave their patient’s side.

“The convenience is wonderful. The lightweight carts offer five different-sized drawers with ample storage space for dressings, cleansers and all the essentials nursing staff need to take care of our patients,” says Melanie Rydings, Manager of Clinical Operations, Clinical Care. “All the supplies are right where we need them when we need them.”

Rydings says the carts provide convenience and peace of mind for both patients and staff. The new wound care carts replace those that could no longer be repaired. The new carts also feature a durable aluminum base and easy-to-clean surface.

Nemo

has moved into Vernon’s Noric House. That’s the message a resident shared with their family after the long-term care facility got a new electric fish tank.

“Not only is it wonderful to look at and provides a calming atmosphere, but it’s also been shown to decrease the number of instances of wandering, packing and aggression that can sometimes occur with some of our residents,” says Nicole LaCroix, Recreational Therapist at Noric House. Patients find the sound of bubbling water soothing and the tank full of realistic fish a welcome addition to the sitting area, Nicole added.

Beyond comforting dementia patients and reducing stress, LaCroix says the new aquarium is also a conversation starter for residents, reminding them of fond childhood memories and their own live fish tanks.

New laptop making music with customized playlists at Noric House

Thanks to a donation from the Vernon Book Volunteers Society (Book Warehouse), residents at Vernon’s Noric House have a new reason to move.

From improving residents’ moods to keeping seniors engaged, Recreational Therapist Nicole LaCroix says her residents are having powerful and positive reactions to music streamed from the long-term care facility’s new laptop.

“We’ve seen people in our care who are no longer verbal start to sing along to a favourite song or smile and move their head to the beat. Often, hands and fingers start tapping as soon as they hear familiar music being played,” says Nicole. “It truly is a huge asset to our team to have the playlists readily available to help entertain and keep our residents’ minds active and engaged.”

The new computer makes it possible for staff to create, download and share music with seniors throughout the long-term care home.

“Beyond pure music enjoyment, creating individualized playlists for our residents helps to mitigate and calm challenging behaviours as well as to assist in elevating moods and overall positive emotions.”

Heart Beat

Donations, grants, events and community support all make a significant impact on healthcare in the North Okanagan. The Foundation is grateful for the incredible support it receives to help improve lives in our community.

Charity Classic

The Foundation’s 13th annual Charity Classic golf tournament this summer had its best year yet. Funds raised through the tournament will support the purchase of muchneeded equipment throughout Vernon Jubilee Hospital.

Buoyant Buddies

The Vernon Dragon Boat Festival made its triumphant return after a twoyear hiatus. With a 50/50 draw and multiple races across Swan Lake, the ninth annual festival raised $760 for cancer care at our hospital.

Movement Run

Families and individuals going through cancer care at VJH have additional resources available to them thanks to the success of the Movement Run. In support of cancer care in the community, Oliver Stankiewicz ran more than 100 kilometres in honour of his mother, Laura Jean. Stankiewicz and this year’s participants raised more than $45,230 through the Movement Project.

Bosom Buddies

It’s a diagnosis that can feel isolating, but the North Okanagan’s Bosom Buddies want women to know they don’t need to go through their breast cancer journey alone. Since their start in 1989, the Bosom Buddies have provided support for women through one-on-one talks at home, group meetings and visits to the hospital before surgery. As a volunteer organization, Bosom Buddies receives financial support from the Vernon Jubilee Hospital Foundation.