A Glidescope will be coming to Kingston Health Sciences Center NICU, thanks to a grant from the Sandra Schmirler Foundation.
A total of $30,000 is being granted for the purchase of the device, which provides video laryngoscopy and bronchoscopy.
“It’s near and dear to our heart to be able to support you here in Kingston again,” says Theresa Breen, Advisor, Sandra Schmirler Foundation. “I’ve been fortunate to be able to personally deliver all three of these cheques.”
Physicians at the NICU, say the capabilities on the same device, will prevent having to use multiple tubes on a vulnerable infant.
“I’m a curler and we’re truly grateful to be receiving another grant from the Sandra Schmirler Foundation,” says Dr. John Leverette, Chair, University Hospitals Kingston Foundation Board of Directors. “This foundation is a legacy to where love and celebration family and its supports premature and critically ill newborns.”
“What it really helps us do is utilize the voice box, where we can pass the breathing tube in the nicest and quickest way,” explains Dr. Faiza Khurshid, Interim Head, Department of Pediatrics at KHSC. “So it’s really hard to wrap your head around it. But imagine a baby who is 500 grams and we are trying to put a tiny tube in the vocal box. With the help of this new equipment, we are directly visualizing and decreasing the suffering and the pain, and making a good outcome.”
The Sandra Schmirler Foundation has raised over $7 million dollars since 2001, to help save infants that were born too small, too soon or too sick.
Written by Tim Baltz