Foundation brings comfort to patients in ICU

When a patient is admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center, he or she may be confined to a bed for days on end. Often, patients in the unit are unable to move and are confined by respirator masks, feeding tubes and other equipment. In situations like this, little things make a very big difference. Something as seemingly minor as the quality of the mattress can change how much pain patients experience.

In order to help improve the comfort level for patients at Good Sam, the foundation recently allocated $10,500 to purchase pressure relief mattresses for the ICU. The mattresses have a specially designed core that creates low interface pressure and increases air circulation. They also have a variable density surface that helps with the prevention and treatment of pressure sores.

“We were really thrilled to get the foundation funding for these mattresses,” said Bill Howden, manager of the ICU. “They are making a tremendous difference for our patients. It’s so nice to be able to do something like this that helps them be more comfortable while they’re here.”

Equipment purchases impact patient care  

One thing that distinguishes Good Sam is its reputation for compassionate staff who consistently go out of their way to make patients feel truly cared for. But staff also need excellent tools to save and heal lives. That’s why the foundation allocates thousands of dollars each year to purchase vital medical equipment for hospital departments and clinics. Recent items that have been approved include:

• Three EKG machines for Samaritan Heart & Vascular Institute
• Four pulse oximeters and an echocardio bed for the Respiratory Therapy Department  Overbed tables for the Med/Surg Department
• A defibrillator for the Imaging Department  
• Pressure relief mattresses for inpatient recovery