The Yates County Tuberculosis and Health Association has awarded $2,500 to the Finger Lakes Health Foundation in support of the purchase of a new Tempus Pro cardiac monitor with Tempus LS Defibrillator for the Yates County Advanced Life Support Unit (ALS), ‘Medic 55’ vehicle. Based in the Emergency Department at Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hospital, Medic 55 response service ensures access to care for all of Yates County and in the past year, the unit responded to nearly 900 calls for service.
Cardiac disease continues to be one of the top two leading causes of death in our Finger Lakes region. Since the onset of COVID, patients are often deferring medical care, testing, and management of their chronic conditions such as hypertension, obesity, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. As a result, the volume and acuity of calls for Medic 55 has increased. In rural communities, quick emergency response is critical to ensuring that those experiencing cardiac risk have the opportunity to access life-saving health care services
The use of an automatic external defibrillator on an emergency call to resuscitate patients, to keep blood flowing to the brain and heart, and to stabilize them until they can be transported to Syracuse, Rochester or other larger cities for interventional cardiac care will significantly increase their chance for survival. The new state-of-the-art equipment will replace the Medic 55’s current units, which are at the end of life and for which repairs are no longer supported.
Lara Turbide, Vice President, Community Services and Executive Director, Finger Lakes Health Foundation says, “Healthcare reimbursement does not always meet the costs of delivering care. As has been underscored during the pandemic, especially in more rural areas and hospital environments, our healthcare resources are being stretched such that we are more reliant than ever upon our community and funding sources such as the Yates County TB & Health Association to maintain equipment and facilities, recruit staff, and sustain vital services.”
Turbide adds, “We are grateful to Yates County TB & Health Association and others who recognize the critical needs in our local communities and respond in meaningful ways to provide the support to assure these needs are met.”
The purchase of the new equipment will ensure the continued sustainability of the ALS program and the delivery of the highest quality ALS services available to patients.
To support the project or for more information, contact Helen Kelley: (315) 787-4050 or [email protected] or donate online.
