Last year our spring campaign was launched to raise money for a vital piece of equipment for the Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital.
And now, thanks to you amazing support and in partnership with My University Hospital Charity, the new Point of Care Ultrasound (POCUS) has finally arrived in the children’s hospital.
The POCUS supports the staff within the Children’s Emergency Department (ED) to quickly and accurately assess a child’s condition so that they can get the care they need as soon as possible.
In a typical week in the ED, staff see around 700 children. With symptoms ranging from allergic reactions to broken bones, upset tummies to serious medical emergencies, staff within the department are experts at being able to respond quickly to whatever they are faced with.
But while they may have the knowledge and experience to help thousands of children every year, they need the best equipment to be able to support their work and help diagnose and treat their young patients as quickly and efficiently as possible.
For staff working at the sharp end of children’s healthcare, being able to quickly and accurately assess a child’s condition is incredibly important. Saving valuable minutes with a diagnosis can make all the difference when it comes to the correct treatment and potential outcomes.
And this is where the POCUS helps.
Ultrasound scanning has been used for many years by specialists such as cardiologists, radiologists and obstetricians. It’s a non-invasive scan that uses sound waves to create images of internal organs, tissues, muscles and blood vessels along with the heart.
The POCUS uses this same technology as a normal ultrasound but instead of the patient having to go to where the machine is located, it brings it to the patient’s bedside. Not only does this help to aid a speedy diagnosis, but it also reduces treatment time and helps reduce the anxiety a patient and their family feels during an already stressful situation.
Dr Dan Yusef, Consultant Paediatrician in the Emergency Department and HDU at The Alex, submitted the original application to us for this vital piece of kit. He said, “Having this POCUS makes a huge impact on the care that we can provide every single day.
“Being able to quickly and effectively diagnose a child in a serious or critical condition, means that we can get them the treatment they need as soon as possible. This not only helps them and their family but means that we can see more children and speed up waiting times within the department – a plus for so many.
“This machine really can make the difference between life and death, and it forms an absolutely vital part of our work here at the hospital.”
Dr Eoin Blaney, Speciality, Specialist Registrar in Paediatric Emergency Medicine at The Alex, is already using the machine with his patients. He said, “To all the member of the public who have raised money doing crazy things like running marathons or diving out of planes, all of your efforts were completely worth it.
“This machine is going to change the care that we deliver to our paediatric patients here at The Alex and hopefully improve the training that our junior doctors receive as well. So, thank you from all of the team here at The Alex for everything you’ve done to make this a possibility.”
Fran Masey O’Neill, Senior Projects Manager, said, “Thanks to every single person who donated towards this brilliant bit of equipment, it’s so great to see it in action at the hospital and we hope it continues to help the team with their diagnosis and treatment.
“And thanks to My University Hospital Charity for partnering with us to make this project a reality.”
