The 100 Mile District General Hospital welcomed a much-needed piece of equipment to its medical lab recently, largely made possible by generous cash donations from the community.
A new hematology analyzer, valued at $28,000, was acquired by the South Cariboo Health Foundation, with approximately $17,000 provided by the foundation through public donations and fundraising efforts, and approximately $11,000 coming from the Cariboo Regional District.
The compact pocH-100i will serve as a back-up device for the main analyzer, which is able to handle more volume than the new machine. It replaces an older back-up blood analyzer, which has fewer capabilities.
Hilary Gosnell, medical lab technologist at the hospital, says she is pleased with the new piece of equipment.
"It's a lot easier to use than the old one and provides better patient results if, and when, we need to use it."
Gosnell adds the new analyzer will be put into service only if the main unit breaks down or when it's undergoing regular maintenance.
It will receive a couple of months of testing before being put into use.