Space-age gift for emergency teams

3:21am Tuesday 11th March 2008

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Medical teams treating seriously ill patients in the accident and emergency department at Airedale Hospital will now be using three state-of-the-art monitors.

Airedale New Venture, a voluntary organisation which has already donated more than £310,000 to the hospital since its inception in 2004, has handed over three Space Lab monitors valued at £35,000.

The monitors record vital information on a patient's heart rate and oxygen levels and are particularly useful for those patients who are critically injured and need ventilation.

Data from the monitor is stored in a device called a brick - like a computer memory stick - meaning vital patient data can be instantly transferred to another ward or department so staff can view the condition and history of the patient immediately on arrival.

The monitors are entirely touch screen and the large display make it easier to detect changes so the staff can act quickly to any sudden problems.

Gavin Anderson, urgent care unit manager said: "We are very grateful for these state-of-the-art monitors and they will be particularly useful in the way we manage critically ill patients such as those suffering head injuries or a stroke.

"It is so important to capture all the data as a patient is treated and we can now do this throughout their most urgent treatment, not only in A&E but as they receive an X-ray or CT scan and then transfer it immediately as they arrive on the high dependency unit or specialist ward."

Airedale New Venture raises money by running a ward trolley service and outpatients shop. Ann Cox, who is a volunteer with the charity said: "It is lovely to see what we are giving our free time for.

"Most of the volunteers are over 60 and most of us have had something done here at Airedale so we like to give our time back.

"It's good to see our money spent on something that will really make a difference to patients."

The volunteers also made a significant donation to replace all the chairs in the A&E department and waiting room so patients can be comfortable before and during their treatment.