By Joseph Cyr
Staff Writer
HOULTON — Houlton Regional Hospital recently received a new piece of equipment thanks to the efforts of the Health Services Foundation.
A new, less invasive bladder scanner was purchased to replace an outdated and broken scanner at the hospital, according to Trish Murray, manager of the emergency room department.
“The scanner we had was very old, and we actually had inherited that unit from a practice that closed,” Murray said. “This device will help reduce infections because we are replacing a unit that did invasive procedures.”
Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Joseph Cyr
SCANNER — Houlton Regional Hospital received a new bladder scanner thanks to the efforts of the Health Services Foundation. Checking out the new equipment are Elizabeth Dulin, Foundation executive director, left, and Trish Murray, manager of the emergency room.
The new scanner works similar to an ultrasound, scanning the person’s bladder from the outside.
“I suppose there are many things medically that folks really do not want to talk about, and one of them is probably issues that may arise concerning possible bladder problems,” said Elizabeth Dulin, Health Services Foundation executive director. “However, even if we don’t wish to talk about them when the time comes and the need is there to find out just what or even if there is a problem, we want to be sure a top-notch diagnosis is reached. The new bladder scanner at Houlton Regional will do just that.”
As part of a multi-equipment fund-raising campaign the Health Services Foundation is currently conducting, this particular piece is one of nine medical equipment needs currently facing the hospital.
“Grant funding and personal donor contributions made the purchase of this equipment possible and we are very grateful,” she said. “There are two focuses for this campaign; one is to replace aging equipment and the other to upgrade current pieces due to rapid technology changes.”
The scanner fell into the aging part of the campaign, and had recently stopped working which meant purchase of a new one needed to be addressed immediately, she added.
“It may not be the most talked about piece of equipment, however, sometimes it is the not so glamorous pieces that score high on patient needs list of good care,” Dulin said. “We at the Foundation take great pride in our responsibility and ability to provide financial assistance to our hospital very seriously. Every new piece acquired this year is just one more step in assuring the different departments we help continue the high standards of quality care they are known for.”
Anyone wishing to know more about the Health Services Foundation, current projects and programs, or to make a donation should call the Foundation office at 521-2147 or visit www.healthservicesfoundation.org.
