Priorities
Great Care. Close to Home.
The Foundation works with healthcare leadership to identify priority projects for our community to support. Below we have highlighted some of our current projects in acute, long-term care and community. The list represents a snapshot in time given that needs are continually being identified. While we aim to keep the priority list up-to-date, we also extend the invitation to reach out for additional information or to discuss projects within specific departments or sites that are of interest.
Through the Comox Valley Healthcare Foundation, we have the opportunity, via giving, to bolster local healthcare so that our loved ones receive exceptional support at every stage of their lives. Together, we have the capacity to influence change and make a difference. We can bring new medical equipment and services to our hospital. We can help seniors thrive and be re-abled after a setback from an injury or surgery. We can find new ways for people to thrive at home for as long as possible. We can enhance long-term care. We can find ways to bring joy and comfort to the elderly. We can do remarkable things for local healthcare together!
For more on how your giving can help you and your loved ones live well, please reach out to the Foundation office at 250-331-5957. We look forward to working with you!
Acute Care Priorities for the Hospital
$44,000
Where:
Comox Valley Hospital
Need:
A Panda Maternal Infant Warmer is needed for the Comox Valley Hospital Emergency Department. The machine currently used in the Emergency Department is on loan from the Perinatal Department, but challenge exists when it is required by both departments or when it is urgently needed in the ED to treat the most vulnerable of patients. A Panda Warmer is used in all births to immediately warm the baby and allow medical teams to assess and provide care for newborns. In addition to keeping the baby warm, this equipment makes weighing the baby quick and easy, enables the bed to be programmed and warm for baby’s arrival, has an integrated SPO2 and resuscitation system for high-risk newborns and ultimately provides staff and families peace of mind.
$20,000
Where:
Comox Valley Hospital
Need:
Code Blue is a hospital emergency code used to describe the critical status of a patient, including cardiac arrest, respiratory issues, or another advanced medical emergencies. When a Code Blue is called, a team of healthcare workers respond in a rapid, yet organized manner. Improvements in response times during cardiac arrest increase survival rates and fewer long-term complications.
According to research, it is estimated that one life would be saved for each active mock Code Blue practiced per 100 beds per year. It is essential our staff have access to the Resusci Anne torso manikin and to training to improve code blue response and outcomes for survival rate when Comox Valley residents experience in-hospital cardiopulmonary arrest.
$13,644
Where:
Comox Valley Hospital
Need:
The Vein Finder is used to assist staff in the medical-surgical units (3A/B/C/D and 4 A/B) who are having difficulty starting an intravenous line (IV). Supporting patients whose veins are challenging to locate, this device offers the benefit of less pokes and therefore more comfort and reduced stress.
$27,600 for 2
Where:
Comox Valley Hospital
Need:
Orthopedic Cameras are used to display the image of the joint on a video monitor, allowing the surgeon to carefully examine, for example, throughout the knee. Two cameras required.
$12,600
Where:
Comox Valley Hospital
Need:
This rack is required for the Comox Valley Hospital (CVH) Medical Device Reprocessing Department (MDRD) Washer. Currently, the washer is used to process Laparoscopic Equipment. CVH only has one rack, and with the Operating Room expansion last September, Surgical Services will be doing more Laparoscopic Surgery. The MIS Rack will enable the processing of surgical equipment in a timelier fashion.
$97,000
Where:
Comox Valley Hospital
Need:
The Tomosynthesis or 3D Mammogram is a new type of imaging test that combines multiple breast x-rays to create a three-dimensional picture of the breast for breast cancer screening.
$49,450
Where:
Comox Valley Hospital
Need:
Provides high resolution imaging of the knee and ankle. Contains a phased array coil that integrates, is designed to support the knee, cushions for extremity stabilization, and fits larger joints.
Where:
Comox Valley Hospital
Need:
Provides clothing, personal hygiene products, and other necessities to vulnerable hospital patients. This fund also contributes to enriching patients’ stay by having books, toys and art supplies within the Pediatrics Departments and helps grow our stuffed animal collection to provide to children receiving care at the hospital as a means to reduce stress and offer them comfort during treatment and procedures. Growing this fund also allows us to offer activity supplies and other items that bring simple pleasure and joy to long-stay patients, mostly seniors, in the Transitional Care Unit.
Long-Term Care Priorities
Where:
Cumberland Lodge, Glacier View Lodge and Providence Living at The Views
Need:
Some residents living in long-term care do not have the funds to buy necessities such as razors, shampoo, socks, and clothing. Some residents have been pre-deceased by loved ones and do not have family. Holiday gatherings with visits and presents for neighbouring residents can make these times of the year even more difficult. This Fund will enable staff to ensure residents have those little necessities from a bottle of shampoo, to cozy socks and small gifts at special times of the year that ensure everyone in the home feels joy and the love of their community.
Music Program Expansion – $25,000
From years of seeing firsthand how their residents benefit from music, Cumberland Lodge is hoping to expand their music program.
Research strongly supports the power of music and movement to provide meaningful stimulation for those living with dementia. The therapeutic use of music combats loneliness, boredom and isolation, and addresses grief and feelings of abandonment. Music programs provide a safe platform for people to feel connected and experience the joy and beauty of music. The overarching goal of music therapy in long-term care settings is to address psychosocial and emotional wellbeing while focusing on residents’ strengths.
Music programs which often incorporate music therapy make use of music interventions to accomplish individualized care goals for residents. The use of music to achieve specific therapeutic goals such as managing stress; reducing anxiety; alleviating pain; enhancing memory; improving communication; expressing feelings and promoting physical rehabilitation.
3 Broda Chairs – $15,000 total
Broda Chairs help residents who require significant support with sitting up and who benefit from spending more time out of bed. With the ability to sit for longer periods of time, residents are more able to participate in activities. Theses chairs are adjustable which also gives the option of reclining to a restful position. The seat and back rest are pressure reducing to decrease the risk of pressure sores.
Therapeutic Garden
A therapeutic garden offers elderly residents the choice of leaving the residential unit for a natural setting designed to promote exercise and stimulate all the senses. Protected outdoor areas promote positive reminiscing and movement, and serve to decrease stress and stabilize sleep-wake cycles.
Wheelchair Accessible Bus
An accessible, low-floor bus will make it possible for residents to attend medical appointments, church services, community events, family gatherings, or simply to drive around our beautiful region to enjoy the sights. It also supports therapeutic and recreation goals by providing residents with an opportunity to explore their home community, socialize with family and friends outside of long-term care, and enjoy the ability to participate in community events.
Bariatric Wheelchair
Conventional wheelchairs are only suitable for up to 225 pounds, whereas bariatric wheelchairs are suitable for heavier individuals. Bariatric tilt wheelchairs also allow for optimal pressure relief and positioning. Access to a bariatric wheelchair enables more independence and improves the overall patient experience.
Palliative Care Education
Advanced palliative care education offers staff important training so that they can best support residents and their families during some of their most vulnerable moments.
Restorative Therapy Equipment – $24,150
Restorative Care equipment is required to support residents at Glacier View Lodge. Required equipment includes five wheelchairs, five mattresses and 10 slings. The Restorative Care Program supports all residents who live at the Lodge. This equipment will provide comfort and mobility to residents, boosting spirits and enabling happier lives in the care home.
Music Program – $10,500
Music programs which often incorporate music therapy make use of music interventions to accomplish individualized care goals for residents. The use of music to achieve specific therapeutic goals such as managing stress; reducing anxiety; alleviating pain; enhancing memory; improving communication; expressing feelings and promoting physical rehabilitation.
Research strongly supports the power of music and movement to provide meaningful stimulation for those living with dementia. The therapeutic use of music combats loneliness, boredom and isolation, and addresses grief and feelings of abandonment. Music Therapy provides a safe platform for people to feel connected and experience the joy and beauty of music. The overarching goal of a Music Therapist in long-term care settings is to address psychosocial and emotional wellbeing. Music Therapy focuses on residents’ strengths and is a valuable resource to engage in at end of life.
OMI Interactive Sensory Suite – $26,000
The OMI Interactive Sensory Suite has many benefits for users. This award-winning projection technology is an amazing tool for adults, including those with special needs or dementia. The technology encourages active participation and keeps users engaged. Users interact with many lively applications, being transported on a variety of dynamic, engaging, stimulating, and broadening journeys of discovery, and earning many cognitive, emotional, physical, and social rewards. Users have reported greater socialization and willingness to communicate, obvious enjoyment and shared laughter, and more flexibility and upper body movement.
Community Healthcare Priorities
$24,000 per year for 5 years / $120,000
Need:
A specialized, local program offered by the Comox Valley Geriatric Specialty Services team that delivers evidence-based, non-pharmacologic interventions for people with mild-moderate dementia and their spouses/caregivers. The program follows a standard protocol of person-centered activities that incorporate reminiscence therapy, multi-sensory stimulation, and implicit learning using themes such as food, maps, sounds and childhood. The emphasis is on learning to improve focus, language, and communication skills, and delay cognitive decline. For both program participants and caregivers, the program is helping to create connection and support so that no one feels they are facing a diagnosis of dementia, or the care of their loved one, on their own. As the population of older adults continues to grow and new referral numbers are significantly increasing year over year, there is a pressing need to sustainably grow this program in the Comox Valley.
Donor funding can help support program sustainability and growth in the following ways:
- increase the number of concurrent cohorts to address the growing waitlist and provide timely service
- provide transportation options for isolated clients so they are able to access the program
- fund further facilitator training
- fund a program manager
- further develop the caregiver support aspect of the program by hiring someone to facilitate activities that run concurrently while the participants living with dementia are in their session
- purchasing program supplies
$10,500
Where:
Community Health Services, Island Health
Need:
These workshops will offer approximately 150 home support professionals and hospital transition teams (approximately 23 staff) opportunity to build resiliency skills, supporting personal care, connection, and communication with one another and within their care responsibilities. The special training serves to reduce stress responses and increase individual and collective resiliency and efficacy.
$25,000
Where:
Community Health Services, Island Health
Need:
The Safe Housing Fund is a new fund for Community Healthcare Services in support of vulnerable people in our community, such as the elderly, individuals with mobility limitations, or people with mental health challenges, who require healthcare support in their homes. Creating care plans for these individuals requires a home visit by a healthcare worker and sometimes staff discover a house is no longer safe for a patient to live in. This fund will help with deep cleaning, accessibility renovations, or repairs that are necessary to re-establish a safe home for the patient so they can receive care in the comfort of their own home. This fund will also provide temporary accommodation when a patient is ready for discharge from the hospital but cannot return home because modification is in process, or because they live on one of the surrounding Islands or in another remote location and need to remain close to the hospital for out-patient care. Donations to this fund provide a huge sense of relief for patients in knowing they have help with house modifications, a temporary place to stay, and eventually the comfort of their own home. The fund also provides peace-of-mind for healthcare workers who provide at-home care and can reduce the duration of hospital stays, freeing up hospital resources.
Where:
Community Health Services, Island Health
Need:
Allows healthcare professionals who work in community to provide some of their most vulnerable patients with comfort items and basic necessities.
$3,500
Where:
Mental Health & Substance Use
Need:
This equipment will be used by the Mental Health and Substance Use (MHSU) team to train members of our community in overdose prevention and response. Having this equipment will allow the MHSU team to offer this special training on a regular basis. Educating community members to prevent, recognize, and respond to overdoses can save lives and significantly enhance community well-being.
$17,000
Where:
Community Health Services, Island Health
Comox Valley Hospice Society
Need:
A Bladder Scanner provides safe and effective patient and family comfort during a very vulnerable time of life. It is an accurate, non-invasive tool that aids healthcare workers with delivery of care to relieve distressing bladder symptoms and increasing patient comfort during palliative care.
Research Priorities
$16,500 per year for 5 years / $82,500
Working with UBC’s Centre for Advancing Health Outcomes and Faculty of Medicine, the Foundation is excited to be partnering with the Conconi Family Foundation, Providence Living, Island Health, Nanaimo & District Hospital Foundation and the Eldercare Foundation to fund a new Distinguished Scholar based in the Comox Valley.
Dr. Amy Salmon, Distinguished Scholar in Seniors’ Care, is leading a research collaborative, all with the goal to provide better seniors’ care now, and for generations to come. Amy and other researchers from various institutions are asking the questions that matter and finding the answers needed to create better healthcare systems. They have remarkable momentum and passion to continue their evidence-based, transformative research and to take their work to new heights within the region.