Helping BC s Sick Babies Breathe Easier Funding Proposal Submitted to the Sandra Schmirler Foundation for BiPap Ventilators

Transcription

1 Helping BC s Sick Babies Breathe Easier Funding Proposal Submitted to the Sandra Schmirler Foundation for BiPap Ventilators Submitted by: BC Women s Hospital & Health Centre Foundation April 2007

2 BC Women s Foundation Proposal April Page 2 Contact Information Name of Organization BC Women s Hospital & Health Centre Foundation Address Room 1U Oak Street Vancouver, British Columbia, V6H 3N1 Contact Person Cynthia Loveman, Executive Director, BC Women s Hospital & Health Centre Foundation Telephone Number Website Federal Charitable Registration Number cloveman@cw.bc.ca RR0001

3 BC Women s Foundation Proposal April Page 3 Executive Summary Critically ill babies with underdeveloped or damaged lungs at BC Women s Hospital & Health Centre s (BC Women s) need your help. Our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), where more than 1,600 babies from across British Columbia (BC) are cared for annually, is in desperate need of three BiPAP devices to help our larger babies weighing more than four kilograms and who have been in our NICU for more than five months because of their intensive care needs, to breathe easier. The BiPAP device is a vital piece of equipment in our NICU, allowing very sick babies who are dependent on external oxygen support through constant positive airway pressure, so that they can breathe properly. The BiPAP sends positive air pressure into a sick baby s lungs through a mask and is much more comfortable, safer and far less invasive than a ventilator which uses endotracheal intubation or tracheostomization. The BiPAP device even allows some of our babies to go home earlier as parents can be easily trained to use the device at home if necessary. BC Women s is the provincial referral centre for women with high risk pregnancies, providing highly specialized care that is not available at any other hospital in the province. The hospital s NICU is BC s main quaternary nursery providing specialized care to more than 1,600 premature and sick babies annually, many of whom are transferred from centres across the province. The Sandra Schmirler Foundation s support for BC Women s will have a direct and positive impact on the lives of BC s critically ill babies. We are asking for your support of $25, to purchase three BiPAP devices. Our goal is to work with you to ensure this generous gift if recognized appropriately through our comprehensive Donor Recognition Program. We know that with your help, we can ensure BC s critically ill babies get the best care possible.

4 BC Women s Foundation Proposal April Page 4 Caring for Critically-Ill Babies With an increasing number of premature and sick babies with underdeveloped lungs being cared for in BC Women s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), the need for highly specialized respiratory equipment is greater than ever. A key piece of equipment we need right now is a BiPAP Synchrony device. The BiPAP device supports the delivery of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) into a sick baby s lungs. It is a form of respiratory support that the majority of critically-ill babies require after being weaned off of a ventilator and before they can breathe effectively on their own. For the last several years, BC Women s NICU has seen more and more larger, older critically-ill babies in need of respiratory support. These are babies who weigh more than four kilograms and have generally been in our NICU for more than five months. Most of these babies have been on ventilator support the entire time they have been in our NICU because they are very sick and their lungs just aren t well enough to allow the babies to breathe on their own. Numerous times, NICU staff have found themselves in a situation in which a very sick, larger baby requires the breathing support of a BiPAP. These babies are generally in need of weaning from an endotracheal tube and ventilator but are unable to fully breathe effectively on their own. The BiPAP provides them with just enough stimulus of air into their lungs to remind them to breathe. With the help of the BiPAP device, eventually these babies learn to breathe on their own. The Current Challenge Currently, our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit does not own its own BiPAP device. The result is that whenever a larger, critically-ill baby needs Positive Airway Pressure breathing support, and/or needs to be weaned off a ventilator, NICU staff must borrow a BiPAP device from BC Children s Hospital s Intensive Care Unit (ICU). 1 The problem is that BC Children s ICU rarely has any BiPAP devices available for loan when babies in our NICU really need them. This has been a great source of frustration for our staff to not have this device available within the NICU when it is needed. At present, a BiPAP device has been loaned to our NICU by the company that distributes it however this loan is temporary and the BiPAP will be removed if a purchase agreement is not made with the company soon. 1 BC Women s Hospital is jointly managed with BC Children s Hospital under the operating umbrella of the Provincial Health Services Authority. Situated on the same site, many of BC Women s staff are shared between the two facilities.

5 BC Women s Foundation Proposal April Page 5 The Impact of the Synchrony BiPAP The BiPAP system we intend to purchase is called the Synchrony BiPAP ST (spontaneous timed). It is a piece of vital respiratory equipment that maintains positive airway pressure into a sick baby s lung through the use of a nasal mask which seals around a baby s entire nose and is held in place with straps. The device continually monitors and adjusts itself to accurately track a baby s breathing patterns. It also alternates blowing two set pressures, a higher pressure for inhalation and a lower pressure for exhalation, to help a baby breathe easier. While the BiPAP device does not breathe for a baby, it will initiate a breath if a baby has not inhaled within a certain time period. That means there are no health concerns about a lack of oxygen getting to a baby s brain. The benefits of the Synchrony BiPAP device are numerous for babies, families and staff. The device is much more comfortable, safer and far less invasive than a ventilator, which uses endotracheal intubation or tracheostomization to push air into a baby s lungs. Thanks to the ease of use of this device, some babies are able to go home sooner while still on the BiPAP as the device is easy for parents to use and that makes everyone happy. Families can be at home together much sooner than ever before while freeing up bed space within our NICU so that we can care for other critically-ill babies in need of the specialized care only BC Women s can provide to BC s babies. As a powerful new non-invasive piece of equipment to support a baby s breathing, this state-of-the-art BiPAP would be regularly utilized within BC Women s NICU. For example, a single critically-ill baby might be on BiPAP for three to four weeks at a time, therefore a single BiPAP unit would help on average very sick babies annually thanks to this vital, life-saving technology. Type of Project: Equipment Total Budget: $25, Amount Requested: $25, Total Funds Raised from all Sources to Date: The need for three BiPAP devices is a high priority for BC Women s NICU and given the support and interest the Sandra Schmirler Foundation demonstrates in helping organizations purchase desperately needed equipment for seriously ill babies in neonatal care facilities across Canada, we are approaching your

6 BC Women s Foundation Proposal April Page 6 organization first. Reaching out to a sole donor such as the Sandra Schmirler Foundation means we would be able to purchase the BiPAP devices as quickly as possible, ensuring BC s sick babies get the best care possible as soon as possible thanks to your generous donation Project Implementation The purchase of three BiPAPs will be initiated as soon as we receive confirmation of funding from the Sandra Schmirler Foundation. No staff training or specific steps are involved in this purchase or in the installation or implementation of this device. Recognizing the Sandra Schmirler Foundation To ensure full awareness of the Sandra Schmirler Foundation s contribution to the health and wellness of BC s critically-ill babies, your Foundation will be recognized through BC Women s Foundation s comprehensive Donor Recognition Program. This program includes being mentioned on our website, in our newsletter and Annual Report; the submission of press releases announcing your gift to media outlets with your permission, such as Kudos in the Vancouver Sun, among other appropriate recognition vehicles, so that your leadership in supporting BC s sick babies is broadly acknowledged. Sandra Schmirler Foundation Directors traveling to Vancouver will be cordially invited to tour BC Women s Hospital and our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit upon purchase and utilization of the BiPAP device. This will enable us to demonstrate how the BiPAP devices are used and their importance as vital pieces of life-saving equipment for BC s critically-ill babies.

7 BC Women s Foundation Proposal April Page 7 Appendix A About BC Women s Hospital & Health Centre Formerly Grace Maternity Hospital, BC Women s has been caring for BC families since BC Women s Hospital & Health Centre was founded in 1994 when Grace merged with the Women s Health Centre of the former Shaughnessy Hospital. BC Women s is a provincial agency operated by the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA). PHSA is one of six health authorities whose primary role is to ensure that British Columbians have access to a coordinated network of high-quality specialized health care services. PHSA is responsible for Women s Vision Improving the odds: better health for all women. Women s Mission To lead the way to best practice for women, infants and their families. managing the quality, coordination, accessibility and cost of BC Women s and other selected province-wide health care programs and services. BC Women s Hospital & Health Centre is the only facility in the province devoted primarily to advancing the health of women, newborns and families. With more than 7,500 births every year, BC Women s is best known as Canada s busiest obstetrical centre, welcoming into the world approximately 20 per cent of all babies in BC. As the high level care centre for pregnant women, nearly all women in BC who have a high-risk pregnancy or complications come to BC Women s where they have access to highly skilled medical staff and leading-edge technology. BC Women s services reach beyond caring for BC s pregnant women and new mothers by providing a broad range of specialized health services to address the health needs of women of all ages and backgrounds. These include nationally and internationally-recognized services in Asian women s health, breast health, osteoporosis, reproductive health, Aboriginal women s health, continence care, women s abuse, sexual assault, substance dependency and HIV/AIDS. Many of these specialized women s health services are not available anywhere else in BC, resulting in BC Women s treating more than 68,000 patients each year. Research is a core component of all of the work carried out at BC Women s. Through the recently established Women s Health Research Institute and other research institutes 2, BC Women s works to improve the health of women, newborns and their families in BC and around the world. BC Women s is an academic health centre and formally affiliated with the University of British 2 Many of Women s investigators also conduct research through the Child and Family Research Institute, based on the campus of Children s and Women s Health Centre.

8 BC Women s Foundation Proposal April Page 8 Columbia and therefore, in addition to conducting vital women s health research, its mandate includes the training and education of BC s current and future health care professionals. BC Women s Mandate BC Women s mandate is to serve the population of BC by: Providing tertiary maternal/fetal/newborn and specialized women s health services for BC. Providing primary and secondary services for women and infants residing in other referring health authorities when BC Women s is the most appropriate access point or in cases where no other facility is providing secondary care in a specialized area of health, with the goal of enhancing capacity at the regional/community level when it should be there. Providing medical genetics services for women, children, men and families across BC who are at risk for genetic disorders. Working in partnership with aboriginal communities, other health authorities and the Ministry of Health to improve the health of aboriginal people in BC. Providing provincial leadership in developing, maintaining and participating in effective networks of partners who share the goal of better health for women and their families. Serving as a catalyst to identify key issues and to contribute to developing public policies aimed at improving the health of BC s population, especially girls and women. Developing, disseminating and translating new knowledge in the areas of basic science, clinical, health services, health policy and population health research to improve health. Partnering with UBC and other academic centres to provide training opportunities for Canadian and international students across all the health disciplines and other related sectors for clinical, educational and research activities. Leading, participating in and partnering with national and international clinical, research and education networks to advance the gaol of better health for women and their families.

9 BC Women s Foundation Proposal April Page 9 BC Women s Hospital 2005/06 Activity Summary Item Total Number of Beds 153 Number of Deliveries (Births) 7,550 Number of Clinic Visits (Maternity & Specialized Women s Health) 45,570 Number of Surgeries 5,960 Staff (Nurses and Support Staff as full-time equivalents) 700 FTE Number of Physicians 390 BC Women s Newborn Care Program Activity Summary: 2005/06 Item Total Number of Beds 47 Number of Patients 1,600 Number of Physicians 29 Number of Nurses 150 BC Women s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit BC Women s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit is the quarternary center for BC, providing the highest level care available in the province to premature or sick babies with special health care needs. It is the only hospital in the province with the technology and expertise to care for babies born before 30 weeks. As the provincial referral centre, almost all of BC s babies in need of specialized care are transferred to BC Women s, with approximately admissions to the NICU and another 900 admissions to the Newborn Care Program s Intermediate Care Nursery each year. BC is the only province in the country with one large tertiary care nursery and is known as the most efficiently run nursery in the country. Babies come to our nursery for specialized care that is not available in their community and you will often meet families from other parts of the province as well as from the Northwest Territories or the Yukon. This is why we require specialized equipment and technology to effectively care for the province s sickest and tiniest newborns.

10 BC Women s Foundation Proposal April Page 10 BC Women s Hospital s Neonatal Program Philosophy BC Women s Hospital s NICU aims to provide excellence in care to both our patients and their family thus providing safe, competent, family centered care to all our patients. Related Neonatal Programs at BC Women s Hospital 1. Intermediate Nursery The Intermediate Nursery at BC Women s Hospital is a Level II nursery caring for babies with mild respiratory or other health issues who are 33 weeks gestation or older. This small 10-bed nursery is perhaps one of the busiest nurseries in the province with more than 900 admissions a year. Often these babies have minor breathing challenges, or may require oxygen, or have jaundice, or are not mature enough to feed on their own and need to be fed by a tube. While many of these babies come from around the province from moms with high-risk pregnancies who have been transferred to BC Women s prior to delivery and cared for through the hospital s Antepartum Program, most are from the Vancouver region. 2. Infant Transport Program For babies born outside Vancouver in other areas of the province, getting to the NICU to get the care they need to survive and thrive is half the challenge - that s where the Infant Transport Team comes in. The Infant Transport Team transports very sick babies and mothers from community hospitals throughout BC to BC Women s. The Team consists of specially-trained emergency medical assistants from the BC Ambulance Service who work collaboratively with neonatal, maternal and pediatric programs at BC Women s and BC Children s hospitals. When a call comes in about a baby in distress, the team will fly to the community hospital, assess the baby s health and take the baby to the most appropriate care facility. Some community hospitals cannot provide the needed level of support nor do they have have the staff with the necessary expertise to care for premature or very ill babies thus necessitating the transfer to BC Women s NICU. Once the babies are stabilized and beginning to thrive, the Team takes them back to their community hospital so the baby can be closer to home.

11 BC Women s Foundation Proposal April Page Neonatal Follow-Up Program For some very sick and premature babies who are at risk for future health problems, the care provided by the Newborn Care Program does not stop once they leave BC Women s. The Neonatal Follow-Up Program is an outpatient clinic where babies in need of ongoing monitoring and care can get the help they need from a group of multidisciplinary providers. For example, babies born with extremely low birth weights are closely followed by the Program, as is every baby who has undergone ECLS followed in conjunction with the pediatric Intensive Care Program.

12 BC Women s Foundation Proposal April Page 12 Appendix B BC Women s Foundation Founded in 1995, BC Women s Hospital & Health Centre Foundation raises money to support the work of BC Women s. Funding comes from a variety of sources, including individual donors, corporate donors, foundations, third party special events, fundraising events, the planned giving program and Wall of Fame Baby Tile Program. Donations to BC Women s are devoted exclusively to the health of women and newborns in BC. The generosity of our donors enables the Foundation to purchase the most advanced diagnostic equipment; fund primary women's wellness initiatives throughout the province; support new and innovative preventive health programs; and fund research that will lead to better programs and treatments in women's health care. BC Women s Foundation is governed by a volunteer board of directors. The Board is responsible for sustaining the Foundation's mission and for overseeing the Foundation's programs. The Board is also responsible for approval of the Foundation s annual plan, goals, objectives and strategies. The following individuals constitute BC Women s Foundation volunteer board of directors: Mrs. Leslie Blake Mr. Peter Blake Ms. Susan Fine Ms. Betsy Gibbons (Past Chair) Dr. John Gilbert Ms. Tish Kenny Dr. Robert Liston Ms. Irmgard Margellos Ms. Sarah Morgan-Silvester (Chair) Ms. Sue Paish Ms. Elise Rees (Treasurer) Mr. Pax Robertson Ms. Michelle Rupp (Vice Chair) Ms. Andrea Shaw Mr. Thomas Skidmore Dr. Moira Stilwell Mrs. Lisa Turner (Vice Chair) Dr. Elizabeth Whynot (President of BC Women s Hospital)