PARIS, IL (Chambana Today) – Volunteers at the Paris Community Hospital are helping enhance patient care at Horizon Health.
Through donation of a medical training device called an arterial stick arm trainer, volunteers’ donations will help respiratory therapy staff refine their skills when obtaining blood from an artery. The lifelike human arm allows staff to practice locating and accessing arteries for blood tests.
An arterial blood sample is crucial for assessing a patient’s respiratory and metabolic status. The training tool will eventually help staff test blood for gas analysis, which evaluates oxygen, carbon dioxide, and pH levels in the blood.
“I’m very excited about it,” said Cicely Taylor, Horizon Health respiratory therapy manager. “I’m so appreciative to the volunteers. Their interest in our organization is phenomenal.”
The device will be used for a multitude of purposes. Staff will use it for their annual competency assessment. It will also be used to train new hires, for healthcare students, and for community education.
“This is another good tool in our toolbox,” Cicely added. “It will allow for one-on-one education and ensure we are proficient in performing arterial blood gas testing. Our goal is to always draw blood on the first try, not through multiple attempts, if possible.”
The Paris Community Hospital volunteers, who staff the hospital gift shop, support Horizon Health projects and provide healthcare scholarships for area students. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, call Kim Macke at 217-466-4295 or visit MyHorizonHealth.org/Volunteer.