The Manhattan Community Health Foundation is proud to highlight more than $90,000 of key investments made over the past year, demonstrating our unwavering commitment to enhancing healthcare services and patient well-being in our community. These strategic contributions directly support critical needs and innovative advancements across various departments.
Advancing Neonatal Care and Women’s Health
The Birth and Women’s Center, under the leadership of Kristen Srna, has been a significant focus of the Foundation’s support, receiving investments in vital equipment that will profoundly impact the care of our newest and most vulnerable patients:
Transcutaneous Bilirubin Meter: A Transcutaneous Bilirubin Meter will significantly reduce the need for newborn blood draws and provide quicker results for bilirubin levels. The use of the meter aligns with updated guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics, ensuring increased monitoring for high-risk newborn populations.
“We believe that adding a transcutaneous bilirubin meter to our neonatal care toolkit in the inpatient setting will enhance our ability to provide high-quality, compassionate care to our newborns,” stated Dr. Tricia Bell, a Newborn Hospitalist at Via Christi Hospital Manhattan.
Wireless Fetal Monitoring System: The Foundation has committed to purchasing a wireless fetal monitoring system for laboring patients. This system will revolutionize the birthing experience by allowing increased mobility and movement for expectant mothers while safely monitoring fetal cardiac activity in utero. The project includes the purchase of wireless equipment and comprehensive staff training to ensure seamless integration and optimal patient benefit.
Neonatal Isolettes: Recognizing the critical importance of a stable environment for newborns, the Foundation helped acquire two new neonatal isolettes. Kristen Srna emphasized the necessity of these “incubators” in providing care to our smallest patients. These isolettes offer a consistent, steady temperature, allowing newborns to thrive until they can regulate their body temperature.
Sleep Sacks for Every Newborn: Each newborn leaving the Birth and Women’s Center will now receive a safe sleep sack. These essential items mitigate the risks associated with traditional blankets, promoting a secure sleeping environment and helping to prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Sleep sacks ensure babies are comfortable and safe, making them an indispensable tool for new parents and a crucial element in promoting healthy infant sleep.
Enhancing Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation
The Foundation also made significant investments in the Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation unit, whose leader, Karen Ashworth, and associates are ensuring patients recovering from cardiac events receive the highest quality of care:
Cardiovascular Rehab Monitoring System: The Foundation made a crucial investment in a new VersaCare system installed in Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation. This system captures the patient’s heart rate and rhythm via a mobile monitor the patient wears while they are in the department. Staff members document the patient’s vital signs, education, symptoms, and progress in the system. This investment is vital to maintaining the only Cardiac Rehab department in Manhattan, which served over 9,000 patient visits in 2024.
“Having a reliable system to monitor our patient’s heart rhythms assists in creating a safe environment for community members to exercise,” shared Karen Ashworth, Clinical Coordinator for Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation.
Recovery Equipment Machines: Further supporting the Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation unit, the Foundation, from Grow Green Match Day 2024 donors, funded the acquisition of two essential recovery equipment machines, bolstering the department’s capacity to provide comprehensive and effective rehabilitation services. the funds.
The Manhattan Community Health Foundation remains dedicated to supporting initiatives that directly improve the health and well-being of our community members. These investments underscore our commitment to providing cutting-edge technology, essential resources, and the highest standard of care for patients of all ages.
Contact:
Chris Spooner, Foundation Director
Manhattan Community Health Foundation
785-587-5462