04/27/2023
Through the generosity of donor support, MercyOne Des Moines Foundation recently funded a new bladder scanner and vein light for the MercyOne Des Moines Pediatrics Emergency Department. These innovative pieces of equipment will improve patient care and aide in staff training.
A bladder scanner is a bedside imaging tool that uses ultrasound to measure the bladder and its contents. According to the pediatrics emergency department staff, many patients come to the emergency department for urinary retention or urinary (foley) catheter complications. This piece of equipment allows staff to quickly identify reasoning for a patient’s discomfort and assess the effectiveness of treatment. This bedside bladder scanner allows staff to almost immediately to care for a very uncomfortable and time sensitive situation.
A vein light, or vein illuminator, helps identify vein location when starting an IV and drawing labs. Nearly every patient in the emergency department receives either a blood draw or IV. For pediatric patients, this can be a scary thing. Using a vein light helps decrease the pain and anxiety of being in the hospital, which is very important for the immediate care of pediatric patient but also for their future experience.
Vein lights are also helpful when training new nurses and techs in the emergency department. Blood draws and IV starts are a difficult skill to teach, by using a vein light, nurses and tech are able to see what they are looking for.
Both of these vital pieces of equipment help to save time and improve care for our pediatric patients. Donations to the MercyOne Des Moines Pediatric Emergency Department support the innovative, personalized care happening every day.
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