The FSJ Hospital Foundation is pleased to share exciting news: funding was secured, and Fort St. John Hospital has received two new Belmont Rapid Infusers thanks to a generous grant from the P.A. Woodward Foundation, and some generous local anonymous donors.
When a patient is experiencing severe blood loss, every second matters. In the Emergency Department, Intensive Care Unit, Operating Room, and Maternity Ward, the ability to rapidly administer blood and fluids can mean the difference between life and death.
Recognizing this critical need, ICU staff identified the Belmont Rapid Infuser as a priority piece of equipment for patient care. The Foundation subsequently pursued grant funding to help bring this life-saving technology to Fort St. John Hospital. The previous rapid transfusion system had reached the end of its service life and had become increasingly unreliable. Staff have reported challenges with frequent maintenance requirements, lengthy setup times, and equipment downtime.
The new Belmont Rapid Infusers significantly improve emergency response capabilities by enabling healthcare teams to quickly and safely deliver warmed blood products and fluids to patients experiencing massive hemorrhage from trauma, emergency surgery, childbirth complications, or critical illness. In addition to its speed and reliability, the Belmont system is already used throughout other Northern Health facilities. This standardization means that traveling nurses, agency staff, and specialized healthcare teams arriving in Fort St. John will already be familiar with the equipment, reducing delays and increasing efficiency during emergencies.
The result is improved patient safety, greater staff confidence, and enhanced critical care services for residents across the North Peace region.
“The purchase of the two new Belmont rapid infusers will be an absolute game changer in the management and outcomes of critically ill patients who require massive intravenous fluid transfusions due to hypovolaemic shock,” said Dr. Kevin Page, Director with the FSJ Hospital Foundation.
“When a mother and child, an elderly patient, or any patient facing a life-threatening medical emergency arrives at our hospital, every second can make a difference. Providing our healthcare teams with advanced equipment like the Belmont Rapid Infuser ensures they have the resources they need to act swiftly and confidently in these critical moments. We are incredibly grateful to the P.A. Woodward Foundation and our generous anonymous donors for recognizing the importance of this equipment and helping make it a reality for our hospital,” says Megan Rader, Executive Director.
The FSJ Hospital Foundation extends its sincere appreciation to the P.A. Woodward Foundation for its support of this important project. Their generosity will help save lives and enhance patient care throughout the North Peace region for years to come.
Fort St. John Hospital Foundation
fsjhf@northernhealth.ca
250-261-7563