Waitakere
Hospital in West Auckland, NZ came to the West Auckland Rotary Clubs in NZ with
a request. Could we please help fund oximeters for their Maternity Unit?
The
non-invasive pulse oximeters diodes are usually attached to a baby’s fingertip
and send out light pulses to measure the percentage of oxygenated blood that is
circulating. They also measure the heart rate.
Oximeters are
used mostly on babies who have had a difficult entry to the world and may not be
getting enough oxygen. If babies remain unwell or develop respiratory diseases,
they may be monitored for longer.
Waitemata
District Health Board Midwife Manager Helen Ngatai emphasised, “staff are loving
having an oximeter in each of the eight birthing units, rather than having to
share the unit’s older oximeter”. She added, ”the increased number of oximeters
means staff are able to monitor babies more closely and can give treatment
quickly when required”.
The four local
West Auckland Rotary Clubs - Waitakere, Kumeu, Henderson and New Lynn - with the
assistance of a grant from The Rotary Foundation made a donation of $7,400 to
purchase ten of these oximeters.
