Augusta University
Denise ParrishEvery DQ Blizzard sold during fundraiser will help purchase vital equipment for Children’s Hospital of Georgia’s PICU
AUGUSTA, Ga. – When taking care of seriously ill children on a daily basis, it’s essential that doctors and nurses have the best tools for the job.
At Augusta University’s Children’s Hospital of Georgia, where families across the Southeast have access to the highest level of pediatric intensive care for kids, one important, cutting-edge tool is the i-STAT, a portable handheld blood analyzer.
“The i-STAT can detect respiratory and cardiac distress, sepsis, and other life-threatening conditions in real time, so we can intervene more quickly,” said Ann Neal, PICU nurse manager. “We work with some very vulnerable patients, so we seldom have time to send blood to the lab for analysis.”
That process could take hours, according to Neal, because the lab serves the entire hospital. “But, we can get immediate information on blood gases and electrolytes using the i-STAT.”
In heart patients in particular, Neal said that maintaining proper electrolyte levels is extremely important. “We need to monitor children every 30 minutes to make sure they have enough sodium, potassium, and magnesium to keep the heart pumping efficiently.”
Unfortunately, the PICU has just one i-STAT machine to share among a 14-bed unit, and this state-of-the-art device carries about a $10,000 price tag.
But, you can help CHOG fund these vital tools by participating in Miracle Treat Day on Thursday, July 28, at area Dairy Queen stores.
DQ locations across the CSRA, will support CHOG, the local Children’s Miracle Network Hospital, by donating a $1 or more from every Blizzard sold on Miracle Treat Day. As a not-for-profit hospital, CHOG relies on the generosity of others to finance the many programs and services that make the area’s only children’s hospital unique.
“We are so fortunate to have CMN Hospital partners like DQ and its Miracle Treat Day patrons whose support helps us provide the highest quality pediatric care for our patients,” said Catherine Stewart, CMN development officer for CHOG.
The 10 participating DQ stores in our area raised nearly $29,000 for CHOG through Blizzard sales last year, according to Stewart.
“As great as last year’s fundraiser was, we’d really like to surpass it this year, so that we can buy several more i-STAT machines,” Stewart said. “We encourage everyone to enjoy a cold Blizzard on a hot summer day and help us improve the care for the nearly 1,000 children treated in the PICU at CHOG each year.”
Group pre-orders also are available, and businesses or organizations interested in placing group orders should contact Stewart via email at castewart@augusta.edu or by calling 706-721-4004.
Participating Augusta locations are:
• 2837 Central Avenue
• 3149 Washington Road
• 3450 Wrightsboro Road (Augusta Mall)
• 4099 Jimmie Dyess Parkway
• 3102 Peach Orchard Road
Additional participating CSRA locations include:
• Louisville: 205 US Highway 1 BYP
• Millen: 1234 US Hwy 25 N
• Swainsboro: 391 S. Main Street
• Thompson: 1850 Washington Road
• Waynesboro: 221 S. Liberty Street
The 154-bed CHOG is the second-largest children’s hospital in the state, providing the highest level of pediatric critical care and neonatal intensive care, as well as a wide range of general and complex health care for children. Visit CHOG at facebook.com/GAChildrens and twitter.com/GAChildrens
Staff
Kevin Faigle
