The South Cariboo Health Foundation (SCHF) is hoping to have a new glidescope device for 100 Mile District General Hospital by October.
The SCHF is close to reaching it's fundraising goal but still requires donations to reach the $30,000 goal.
The glidescope device, otherwise known as a laryngoscope, is used for patients whose ability to breath is threatened or are critically ill.
The device is placed in the patients trachea by intubation and provides a visual view of the trachea via small camera device inside.
Hospital chief of staff Dr. Gordon Hutchinson will be making the final decision on which brand of device will be selected when he attends the annual Emergency Medical Conference in Whistler in September.
Hutchinson wants to ensure he chooses the device best suited for the hospital.
“There will be several to choose from, so we need to choose the one that best suits [our hospital]. I'm keeping an open mind and will consult with other ER doctors about what is best.”
Hutchinson first used the device when he intubated a patient in Kamloops in 2012.
“It worked well. It allows you to visualize the vocal cords, so you can place the tube correctly. This is important as a common mistake that happens is the tube is placed in the esophagus instead of the trachea.”
Once Hutchinson has selected a device, there will be several hurdles to pass through before it arrives at the hospital.
“We have to order it, funds need to be freed up and then we have to go through Interior Health. It will take hopefully around two to three weeks to arrive after we order it.”
SCHF public relations fundraiser Brenda Devine says the fundraiser's goal has almost been reached, but some funds are still needed.
“We are still accepting donations. We have received donations from several associations, such as the South Cariboo Aquatic Society and Central GM.”
In April 2016, Central GM donated $150 to the fundraiser with every vehicle sold in the month. They raised $6,000.
There have also been several generous anonymous donations, Devine says.
“Someone gave us $1,500.”
Devine and the rest of the SCHF hope to have the necessary funds for the glidescope by September.
It will be a great addition to the hospital, says Devine.