Imagine being so short of breath that you had to call an ambulance. That is what happened to a patient who came to the Winchester District Memorial Hospital (WDMH) Emergency Department.
In addition to worsening shortness of breath, Mr. M. was weak and had swelling in his legs. His oxygen levels were very low, and the nurse had difficulty hearing the movement of air in his lungs. Mr. M. was moved to the resuscitation room, but strong medications didn’t result in rapid relief. And he was getting very tired, using all his energy just to breathe.
That’s when the BiPap (Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure) machine was used. It is a specialized piece of equipment that helps to push air into the lungs. It is a non-invasive ventilator, which doesn’t require having to insert a tube into a patient’s body. After two hours, Mr. M’s condition vastly improved and his oxygen levels rose to almost 100%. He was admitted to WDMH’s Enhanced Care Unit for further testing and monitoring.
The BiPap machine was used to support Mr. M’s breathing, allowing the medication to take effect. This prevented his condition from worsening, which would have resulted in intubation and transfer to an Intensive Care Unit in Ottawa.
And now, because of generous donors in our local communities, two new BiPap machines have arrived at WDMH – helping many patients like Mr. M in the Emergency Room and Enhanced Care Unit. “The two BiPap machines at WDMH were at the end of their lifespan and needed to be replaced. We are so grateful to our donors for ensuring that the best tools will still be available to care for our patients,” explains Kristen Casselman, Managing Director.
The total cost of the new BiPap machines was $56,590.66.
