Smiths Falls Community Hospital Foundation

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Over $102,000 Raised For Local Hospitals

(Perth, Ont.)  There were cheers in five separate locations around the Ottawa Valley last Thursday night (October 15th) as the second Lake 88 Radiothon ended with more than $98,000 dollars raised for local hospitals in communities throughout the radio station’s coverage area.  That total rose to $102,767 on Monday as even more donations came in from local businesses and residents.

Instead of gathering in one common call centre as last year, COVID-19 meant that the event was run at the four ‘distanced’ hospital foundation offices in Almonte, Carleton Place, Perth and Smiths Falls and connected to the station online and by phone.

The 12-hour on-air fundraiser ran from 6 am until 6 pm and featured interviews with dozens of healthcare professionals, doctors, nurses and administrators, along with patients and volunteers from the four partner hospital foundations.   

Brian Perkin, who owns Lake 88 with his wife Jennifer, stated, “The pandemic forced us to develop some pretty unique ways of getting everyone on the air from each of the foundation offices using ‘Zoom’ and the phone lines.  We also ‘distanced’ our staff at the station by creating separate little studio areas.  But it all worked very well.  Everyone was scattered throughout Lanark County, but they all manned the donation lines, shared the information, got folks on the air and kept it going.”

“Our goal was to raise awareness of the work our local hospitals do in providing great healthcare in our smaller towns and rural areas.  We also wanted to highlight the fact that hospitals don’t get provincial funding to cover all the costs of medical equipment.  That help only comes through local donations. ”

Perkin explained that the list of needs is long and varied, and includes items as expensive as a CT scanner for the Almonte General Hospital/Fairview Manor Foundation ($2.2 million).  The Perth Great War Memorial Hospital Foundation and the Smiths Falls Community Hospital Foundation are looking to fund an electrocardiogram (ECG) to test heart rhythm ($26,000), an obstetrical bed ($21,757), a fetal heart monitor ($36,382) and bedside monitors for Perth and Smiths Falls emergency rooms ($105,752), among other items.  The Carleton Place & District Memorial Hospital Foundation is undertaking a $3 million Comprehensive Campaign for their new emergency department wing.

Organizers thank listeners, residents and the numerous local businesses and sponsors throughout the area who made donations ranging from $10 to thousands of dollars, many in memory of loved ones.  The Radiothon also received a $4,000 donation from the Land O’ Lakes Tunis Shriners, a $5,000 donation from St. Francis Masonic Lodge 24 in Smiths Falls, and $3,200 from 8-year-old Kayla Hasan of Almonte who raised the money by making and selling COVID-19 masks.

Perkin added, “It was very gratifying to top the $100,000 mark in donations again.  It went beyond what we imagined we might collect during the pandemic.  It’s humbling and also encouraging to see our local communities provide such generous support.  It’s a tremendous investment in our local hospitals – one that benefits us all.”

_______________________________________________________

For more information, contact the following Radiothon Partners:

Almonte General Hospital/Fairview Manor Foundation – Al Roberts:  aroberts@agh-fvm.com
Carleton Place & District Memorial Hospital Foundation – Robyn Arseneau:  rarseneau@carletonplacehosp.com
Perth Great War Memorial Hospital Foundation – Margo Hallam:  mhallam@gwmfoundation.com
Smiths Falls Community Hospital Foundation – Lise Smith:  lise.sfchfoundation@bellnet.ca
Lake 88.1 Radio – Brian Perkin (613) 264-8811 or email:  brian.perkin@lake88.ca

Perth and Smiths Falls District Hospital Capital Budget 2020-21 Priority List

TABLE 1: PRIORITIZED MAJOR EQUIPMENT (ALL TYPES) FOR FY2020/21
DEPARTMENTDESCRIPTION TOTAL COST PRIORITY
MAJOR EQUIPMENT (Items over $5,000)
CLINICAL
MED SURGIV PUMPS (15)$79,3031
REHAB/MED SURGMED/SURG BEDS WITH ALARM/SCALE (10)$69,7091
MED SURG MEDICATION CART (3)$21,5471
OBSOBSTETERICAL BED21,7571
OBSFETAL HEART MONITOR$36,3821
EMERGENCYECG MACHINE$22,2051
ORGLIDESCOPE (2)$37,0781
ORENDOSCOPY TOWER$71,0001
ORHD CAMERA ATTACHMENT TO 4K TOWER$12,0001
ORPORTABLE ULTRSOUND$45,0001
OROPHTHALMOLOGY - CHAIRS (2), KITS (5)$64,4001
ORMICRO POWER EQUIPMENT$85,0001-2
ORCEILING LIGHT$65,0001-2
EMERGENCYBEDSIDE MONITORS MP70 (2)$105,7521-2
SUB-TOTAL CLINICAL$736,133
DEPARTMENTDESCRIPTION TOTAL COST PRIORITY
MAJOR EQUIPMENT (Items over $5,000)
DIAGNOSTIC & THERAPY
LABORATORYBLOOD CULTURE INCUBATOR$45,8511
LABORATORY2 DOOR BLOOD BANK REFRIGERATOR$25,4731
RADIOLOGYDR FLAT PANEL DETECTOR$50,0001
RADIOLOGYPOWER CONTRAST INJECTOR$30,0581
RADIOLOGYPACS UPGRADE$40,0001
CARDIOPULMONARYSTRESS TEST SYSTEM$36,9721
PHYSIOTHERAPYTRACTION TABLE AND MOTOR$8,1511
PHYSIOTHERAPYCONTINUOUS PASSIVE MOTION MACHINE$7,1321
SUB-TOTAL DIAGNOSTIC & THERAPY$243,637
DEPARTMENTDESCRIPTION TOTAL COST PRIORITY
MAJOR EQUIPMENT (Items over $5,000)
SUPPORT SERVICES
HISFIBRE SWITCHES$21,8091
HISDATA DOMAIN$97,1501
HISMS TEAMS 365$150,0001
HOUSEKEEPINGFLOOR SCRUBBER$5,8241
SERVICEDISHMACHINE AND BOOSTER$88,3251
MDRDPOINT OF CARE SURGICAL STERILIZATION$65,0001
SUB-TOTAL SUPPORT SERVICES$428,108
TOTAL MAJOR EQUIPMENT (items over $5,000)$1,407,108
TABLE 2:COVID-19 MAJOR EQUIPMENT PREVIOUSLY SUPPORTED BY FOUNDATIONS FOR FY2020/21
DEPARTMENTDESCRIPTION TOTAL COST PRIORITY
PREVIOUSLY SUPPORTED BY THE FOUNDATIONS
ICUTRANSPORT VENTILATORS (2)$54,0001
MDRDHYDROGEN PEROXIDE SURGICAL STERILIZATION$116,0001
TOTAL EQUIPMENT PREVIOUSLY SUPPORTED$170,000
TABLE 3: PRIORITY 2 AND 3 EQUIPMENT FOR FY2020/21 (IF ADDITIONAL FUNDING AVAILABLE)
DEPARTMENTDESCRIPTION TOTAL COST PRIORITY
PRIORITY 2 AND 3 (IF ADDITIONAL FUNDING AVAILABLE)
OBSNEONATAL HEART MONITOR36,382$$36,3822
MED SURGECG MACHINE$26,0002
ORCOLONOSCOPE$73.0002
ICUICE MAKER$7,5792
ORBRONCHOSCOPE (2)$30,0002
ORINFECTIOUS WASTE DISPOSAL SYSTEM (2)$70,000
PHYSIOTHERAPYLIFT WALKER$5,6002
SUB-TOTAL PRIORITY 2 AND 3$248,561
Notes:
  1. Physician Leaders at PSFDH have prioritized the clinical equipment
  2. List includes only Major Equipment (i.e. >$5000)
  3. Priority 1 = “Must have” for current year Priority 2 = May be deferred to FY 2021/22 year; consider in current year if funding available Priority 1-2 = “Nice to have” in current year Priority 3 = May be deferred to subsequent years; consider in current year if funding available
  4. Number in parenthesis (*) in the item description indicates the number of units required by the hospital.

Live Lake 88 Radiothon set for October 15

‘Supporting our frontline workers by giving them the tools they need.’

(Perth, Ont.)   Local healthcare officials, doctors, nurses, patients and volunteers will take to the airwaves of Lake 88.1 Radio on Thursday, October 15th for a live 12-hour fundraising ‘Radiothon’ in support of our local hospitals. 

The station is partnering with the Almonte General Hospital/Fairview Manor Foundation, the Carleton Place & District Memorial Hospital Foundation, the Great War Memorial Hospital Foundation in Perth and the Smiths Falls Community Hospital Foundation for the second event of this kind, after having to cancel the Radiothon originally scheduled for last May because of the COVID 19 pandemic.

Organizers are planning a full day of interviews and information segments to increase the awareness of local health care facilities and to highlight specific equipment needs that require funding.

Station owner Brian Perkin says, “Despite the incredible amounts of government money being spent on COVID-19 care, our local hospitals are under increasing financial pressure to maintain their facilities and equipment in order to provide quality healthcare.  But not everyone knows that some of the funding for our local facilities has to come solely from the community. ”

Perkin states that one of the little known facts about healthcare funding is that each hospital in Ontario is funded by a general budget that pays for heat, hydro, maintenance and the salaries of nursing and support staff.  He adds, “That budget does not cover the purchase of medical equipment to provide patient care.  Medication pumps, surgical equipment, vital signs monitors, specialized beds, etc. are all purchased from funds donated by members of the community – not through provincial dollars.”

The Radiothon will highlight the need for 28 new intravenous pumps at a cost of $5,000 each for the Almonte General Hospital (AGH) for use in all clinical areas including Emergency, OBS, Medical/Surgery. Another major priority at AGH is the continued fundraising drive to bring a CT Scan to the hospital to provide medical imaging at a cost of $2.2 million. 

The twin sites of the Perth and Smiths Falls District Hospital are also in need of new IV pumps to deliver medications such as insulin, hormones, antibiotics and chemotherapy drugs to a patient’s bedside.  There is also a need for a $26,000 Electrocardiogram (ECG) to test a patient’s heart rhythm and electrical activity and an obstetrical bed designed for gynecological and maternity patients at a cost of $21,757.

The list also includes a Fetal Heart Monitor ($36,382) that measures the heart rate of a baby (fetus); a portable Ultrasound for cardiac, vascular, radiology, endocrinology, pediatric, and OB/GYN testing at a cost of $45,000; a lift walker to assist with rehabilitation; a Stress Test System for heart monitoring at a cost of $36,972; and a bedside monitor for both the Perth and Smiths Falls emergency rooms to monitor heart rate and vital signs for patients at a total cost of $105,752.

On Radiothon day, all of the radio station’s on-air hosts will share stories from some incredible patients and volunteers whose lives have been changed and saved thanks to the generosity of local donors. The excitement of Radiothon day will also be shared online at lake88.ca.

For 12 hours, from 6am to 6pm that day, the phones will be manned by volunteers who will take donations from listeners wishing to support any or all of the four partner hospital foundations.

Dr. Peter Roney, Urologic Surgeon and former Chief of Staff at PSFDH says, “Anyone who lives in this region of Eastern Ontario will have a very high likelihood of personally benefiting from the equipment funded through local donations.  Most of us will make use of our local hospitals at some point in their lives.  So when you make a donation to the local foundation, you are making a donation to yourself and your family.”

 

COVID-19 Assessment Centre Wait Times

Media Release
For Immediate Release: Friday, September 18, 2020

Wait Times at the Perth and Smiths Falls District Hospital
COVID-19 Assessment Centre

The COVID-19 Assessment Centre (CAC) located at the Smiths Falls Site of the Perth and Smiths Falls District Hospital is currently experiencing the largest increase in the number of residents seeking COVID-19 testing since the start of the pandemic in March of this year.

As has been the case over the last several months, the CAC is currently adjusting the operation of the CAC to better meet the community’s needs and has modified its hours of operation. The CAC will now be open from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m., seven days per week. Please note that, priority is being given to residents who have symptoms that may be related to COVID-19 when booking appointments in the CAC. The Perth and Smiths Falls District Hospital is requesting patience from the public at this time as the CAC addresses the current surge in requests for testing and asks that you call only one time to the CAC phone line so as to minimize volume and demands to respond. Testing is still by appointment only.

Please call 613-283-2330 ext. 1401 and leave one message clearly stating your name, date of birth and a contact telephone number. Our staff will return your call.

PSFDH is also asking that no pets be brought with you while you attend your appointment. If a support animal is required, we ask that they are restrained to ensure the safety of both you and the CAC staff member.
In the event that you have significant symptoms and are worried about a delay in an appointment for assessment and testing at the CAC, you may contact:

The Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit at 1-800-660-5853 ext .2222
Or Telehealth Ontario (toll-free) at (866) 797-0000 or Toll-free TTY at (866) 797-0007

Further information is available at https://www.ontario.ca/page/get-medical-advice-telehealth-ontario. Public members can also call their own family physician or nurse practitioner for advice and guidance. In the setting of an urgent medical situation or an emergency, public members should go to one of the Emergency Departments.
The CAC is located outside the Main Entrance on Elmsley Street North, Smiths Falls. Patients will drive up to the Main Entrance and remain in their vehicle while an in-vehicle assessment is completed.

The CAC is NOT a public entrance. The current patient drop-off/pick up areas remain in place at the Smiths Falls Site. Patients can continue to be dropped off and picked up at the Smiths Falls Site Emergency Department entrance located off of Cornelia Street.

About PSFDH

The Perth and Smiths Falls District Hospital (the “Hospital”) is a fully accredited acute care health care organization located on two state-of-the-art sites. The hospital is situated in the heart of the Rideau Canal region and proudly provides health services to more than 60,000 people in the surrounding communities. The hospital delivers a broad range of primary and secondary services and programs such as emergency care, diagnostic imaging, obstetrics, general and specialty surgical services, dialysis, as well as laboratory and infection control services.

For more information contact:
Dr. Barry Guppy President and CEO
Perth and Smiths Falls District Hospital 613-283-2330 ext. 1110
www.psfdh.on.ca

Critical equipment to meet the hospital’s needs during the COVID-19 Pandemic

To ensure that the Perth and Smiths Falls District Hospital has the necessary equipment to be able to cope with the current crisis, we are proud to let you know that the two community Hospital Foundations and Auxiliaries have come together to purchase much needed additional critical equipment to meet the hospital’s needs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Both the Smiths Falls Community Hospital Foundation and the Great War Memorial Hospital of Perth District Foundation along with the Auxiliary to the Smiths Falls Community Hospital Auxiliary and the Great War Memorial Hospital of Perth District Hospital Auxiliary are committed to ensuring that our hospital has the resources necessary to provide and serve the needs of our community not only during this crisis but for many years to come.

In the photo: Paul Martin, Board Chair Great War Memorial Hospital Foundation, Margot Hallam Executive Director, Sean Lawrence, Board Chair Smiths Falls Community Hospital Foundation, Lise Smith Executive Director, Gloria Mears, President Perth Auxiliary, missing Jackie Staples, President Smiths Falls Auxiliary

 

 
 
 
 
 

COVID-19 Update – Community Donations and Other Offers

 As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to unfold , we are gratified with the response of the community, stepping up to help in so many ways. Each offer is sincerely appreciated and the support coming from our community for staff and patients means more than we can ever express. We know that many of you want to help and PSFDH offers the following guidance with respect to items that are needed and those items we cannot accept at this time. 

Donations of Personal Protection Equipment

As you are aware, the COVID-19 pandemic has created a global shortage of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) which will be essential to protect our health care workers and patients as we prepare to care for patients related to COVID-19.  Perth and Smiths Falls District Hospital would appreciate donation(s) of any of the following PPE items:

  • N95 masks – all sizes
  • Surgical or procedure masks
  • Ear loop masks
  • Protective gloves – all sizes
  • Vented goggles
  • Face Shields
  • Gowns

 

Donations of prepared food 

  • At this time and until further notice, PSFDH will not be able to accept any donations of prepared food items.

Donations of Other Items

The hospital also needs additional disinfectants that meet hospital-grade standards.  If you have disinfectants and cleaners that you can make available, please contact us to discuss the specific products.

If you have other items that you would like to donate or discuss how you may be able to help, please contact the hospital at covid-donations@psfdh.on.ca .  Please list the specific item, quantity available, product description, whether the packaging is open or not and your contact information. 

We will connect with you and organize the pick-up of the items. 

 

Other Offers

If you are a community member or business and have some of the above-needed items but are not in a position to donate, we want to hear from you, too.  Please use the above email address and we will contact you.

You may also connect with us via https://togetherwecandothis.ca/donate-ppe-hospitals/#ontario

If you wish to make a cash donation, please contact our Foundation office(s) at:

www.gwmfoundation.com  or  www.sfchfoundation.com .

 

On behalf of the Perth and Smiths Falls District Hospital health care family, thank you so very much for your support.

 

Sincerely,

Dr. Barry Guppy

President & CEO

COVID-19 Update

In order to help ensure the health and well-being of our staff volunteers and supporters, the Smiths Falls Community Hospital Foundation will be taking the following measures.

Our Foundation office will be closed until further notice with the exception of Wednesday afternoon between 12:00 and 2:00.  We will be establishing a procedure to process donations and mail tax receipts.  During our closure, we are still available to answer your emails, and take phone calls during regular office hours 8:30 to 4:00 which will be handled remotely.

Lise can be reached via email at sfchfoundation@bellnet.ca or 613-283-9743.

For up-to-date information concerning COVID-19, please visit www.lanarkcounty.ca or if you need to visit the Perth and Smiths Falls District Hospital please visit their website at www.psfdh.on.ca to view their temporary measures if you need to visit or attend the hospital.

Thank you for your ongoing support of our Hospital and Foundation.

 

Sean Lawrence
Chair SFCH Foundation

COVID-19 Update: PSFDH implements measures for safety

As a result of increasing concerns related to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), Perth and Smiths Falls District Hospital (PSFDH) is implementing a variety of measures to increase the safety of our patients, staff, volunteers, students and physicians and to ensure that PSFDH can continue to provide the hospital care that our community needs.

Beginning immediately and until further notice, the following measures are being implemented:

Single point of entry
– There will be a single point of entry at both the Smiths Falls and Great War Memorial (GWM, Perth) hospital sites for both visitors and patients.
– Smiths Falls: Emergency Department entrance on the main floor on the west side of the building (Cornelia Street).
– GWM (Perth): Emergency Department entrance on the north side of the building.

Mandatory screening of all individuals
– All patients, families, staff, students, volunteers and physicians will complete mandatory screening before entry to the hospital.
– Patients who do not pass the mandatory screening may or may not be granted entry to the hospital depending on the reason for the hospital visit. All patients who are seeking care in the Emergency Department will be assessed in the Emergency Department.

Restriction of visitors to the hospital
– Visitors to the hospital will be restricted to family members of maternity, critically ill, or patients receiving palliative care. However, any of these visitors must successfully pass mandatory screening to be permitted entry to the hospital.

At this time, regularly scheduled clinics, rehabilitation and surgery will continue but will be reviewed on a daily basis. However, all patients must successfully complete the mandatory screening before entry.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation during this time. The protection of the patients, staff, volunteers, students and physicians is the top priority of PSFDH.

Dancing with our Stars a Success!

 

   

 

What a success!

On behalf of the Smiths Falls Community Hospital Foundations, staff, organizing committee and Board of Directors, we want to extend a heart-felt thank you for your support in making this event so successful. We were able to provide an entertaining, and exciting evening for all!

$15,757.00 will be put towards the purchase of the Mammogram machine for the Mammography Department at the Perth site of the Perth and Smiths Falls District Hospital.

Spring Fling Running Thing Raises $6,000!

Spring Fling Running Thing raised $6,000 for the SFCH Foundation at this year’s event in April. 

The funds raised will go towards the mammogram purchase for our hospital. 

Thank you to the organizers and the participants of this annual event. 

Thank you to Desmond Devoy at the Smiths Falls Record News for this photo.