The Ross Memorial Hospital Foundation is pleased to launch the annual Spring Appeal. This year, the Appeal letter, which is mailed to every household in the City of Kawartha Lakes, outlines the need for new cardiac monitors, which are used throughout the Hospital.

The Foundation is pleased to have Chief Hospitalist, Dr. Les Summers, on board with this fundraising project. Dr. Summers knows that the smallest piece of medical equipment at the Hospital can make the biggest difference in a patient's care. That's certainly the case when it comes to cardiac monitors. As Dr. Summers says, "it's an invaluable piece of equipment". 

A cardiac monitor provides a constant measure of a patient's vital signs, the pulse, blood pressure, oxygen levels, and the heart's rhythm. If a patient's heart rhythm
becomes critically abnormal, we use electricity to bring the heart back to a normal rhythm, using a defibrillator.

It's useful in three ways: it's the most important item on a crash cart when we respond to a "code blue", which is the call that goes out when a patient is in cardiac arrest. The monitor is rushed to the patient's side and hooked up to help us see where the problem lies. When we're transferring a critical patient to the Intensive Care Unit, we rely on a cardiac monitor so we can tell immediately if his or her status is changing. It's also an essential item when a patient is being transferred to another hospital. 

Erin Coons, Executive Director of the RMH Foundation, says the goal of the Spring Appeal is to raise $80,000 to purchase new monitors. "We're very proud of the quality of care we provide our patients," Coons said. "With the help of Dr. Summers and the support of the community during the Spring Appeal, we can make it even better."

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