MEMBERS of the Hamilton Base Hospital Auxiliary visited the Western District Health Service (WDHS) Cancer and Dialysis Centre recently to see their yearly donation in action.
The Auxiliary have donated $5999 to purchase a ‘Veinfinder’, to improve the experience of patients on dialysis and receiving cancer treatments.
The Veinfinder is an advanced tool that uses infrared light and the latest vein visualisation technology.
It also has a unique digital image processing system that helps healthcare professionals see deep-seated veins more easily.
When doctors and nurses use the Veinfinder before inserting needles for treatment, they can quickly find the best veins to target.
This greatly improves the chances of success on the first attempt (statistics show a 92 per cent success rate on the first try), which means fewer needle insertions and less waiting time for patients.
This is particularly important for patients who spend long hours undergoing treatments.
Cancer Dialysis Centre nurse unit manager, Carmen Jacobs, said for chemotherapy patients in particular, finding a suitable vein for treatment can be very challenging.
“Veins might be difficult to locate, or they can be fibrous, and as patients receive more chemotherapy treatments, they can become even more difficult to access,” she said.
“The goal is to make the patient experience as comfortable as possible and reduce any unnecessary stress or discomfort, and this is where the Veinfinder comes in.”
WDHS chief executive, Rohan Fitzgerald, thanked the Auxiliary members, acknowledging the important role they have played in fundraising for the hospital over many years.
“We have much to be grateful to the Hamilton Base Hospital Auxiliary for. This amazing team have been fundraising for our hospital for close to a century, through raffles, luncheons and other special events,” he said.
“We are immensely grateful to the Auxiliary for their donation, which will make a significant difference to the experience of those receiving cancer treatments and dialysis at WDHS.”
