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With B.C. skies full of smoke much of the summer, respiratory health has never been so top of mind.
But patients at Kelowna General Hospital can breathe a sigh of relief, thanks to a new bedside diagnostic tool.
TB Vets provided a $25,000 gift in matching funds to acquire the new, dedicated portable ultrasound for the Respiratory Therapy Department. The SonoSite Ultrasound will be used by respirologists and thoracic surgeons to assess and treat pulmonary (lung) fluid collections and abscesses. It will also be used to landmark where chest tubes need to be inserted and to track and evaluate when to remove them.
“Ultrasound imaging allows respirologists and respiratory therapists to identify and make accurate diagnosis at patients’ bedside," says Bob Somerville, clinical supervisor from the department.
KGH has seen a dramatic increase in respirology and thoracic surgery case volumes, particularly over the past five years. In 2016, more than 2,500 such patients were treated.
It's estimated the new equipment will be used as much as five times a day.
TB Vets has donated nearly $300,000 to support respiratory initiatives at KGH during the past 20 years.
