Donor Impact
The IV Hand Simulator
Thank you to the County Central High School Safe Grad Committee!
This fantastic group of our county’s youth donated dollars to purchase specific simulation equipment this fall.
The Vulcan County Health and Wellness Foundation was excited to add funding.
The IV Hand Simulator will enhance the intravenous access training of nursing, lab, and students, improving competency and safety.
This is an excellent addition to improving IV skills and blood draw for nursing and lab staff.
The staff has used the same IV hand at the “Let’s Go Rural” high school event. The hand was provided by RHPAP and used at the lab skill station with positive feedback from the lab and the students. The staff also hosted the U of C medical student event but could not borrow the hand from RHPAP as it was unavailable.
This equipment is an excellent addition to the training equipment at the Vulcan Community Health Centre, and we are deeply grateful to the County Central High School Safe Grad Committee for their invaluable support!
Once again, Thank You!
Arrowwood AG Society
The Vulcan County Health and Wellness Foundation extends heartfelt gratitude to Derek Jacobsen and the members of the Arrowwood AG Society for their generous donation and unwavering support. Your commitment truly makes a difference in our community!
Vulcan Elks Fund Pediatric Crash Cart!
Vulcan Elks Club have provided the funding for a Pediatric Crash Cart and baby scale at the Vulcan Community Health Centre.
Did you know that the Vulcan Elks Club is in its 99th year of providing community service? This month, we were honoured to receive a cheque for $2863.00, which will be used to purchase a Pediatric Crash Cart—necessary pediatric equipment for our Emergency Department at the Vulcan Community Health Centre.
The photo represents the Vulcan Elks, showing, from left to right, Duane Felt, Dennis Machacek, and Harold Lewis of the Vulcan Elks. Representing the Vulcan County Health and WellnessFoundation, are Gail Wark and Glen Hutton.
Our Emergency Department serviced 4,349 patients in 2023. Many of these patients were pediatric, ranging from newborn to adolescent. When a pediatric emergency patient presents to the trauma room, having this pediatric crash cart for staff will simplify the process of gathering supplies.
All supplies will be kept in one location. This will also align us with other rural Emergency Departments within the province. When dealing with pediatric emergencies, time is critical. Having a pediatric cart will enable staff to continue to provide exceptional care while increasing safety and efficiency.
The Alberta Elks Foundation’s Tabs for Tots program was started in 2000 and is a powerful demonstration of what can be achieved through collective action. It has made a significant impact. As of 2023, 58,266 lbs of tabs and 123,876 lbs of other metal had been generated, and over $170,000 worth of pediatric medical equipment has been donated to rural hospitals, improving the lives of countless children. The Tabs for Tots program funds pediatric care and equipment for regional hospitals and health care units. The program helps deliver equipment to delivery rooms, nurseries, and pediatric wards. Look for these collection boxes around town and here at the hospital, and know that when you contribute your tabs, you are helping to support pediatric health.
Once again, we extend our heartfelt thanks to the Vulcan Elks and the Alberta Elks Foundation for their incredible gift. Your generosity has made a significant impact on our community and the lives of our youngest members. Thank you for making a difference that truly Matters!
Facility enhancements and technology investments.
New technology has arrived in our Emergency Department.
We are thrilled to announce that the portable ultrasound unit has arrived in the emergency department of the Vulcan Community Health Centre.
The dollars you donated last fall during the Pledge Drive and this past June’s 24-hour Golf Challenge have made this purchase possible. Your contributions, no matter how big or small, have played a significant role in bringing this new technology to our community.
This equipment, made possible by your generous donations, is a game-changer. It enables our physicians to conduct cardiac exams and identify heart conditions, eliminating the need to send patients elsewhere for these diagnostics. The improved image quality and preset variety make it a time-saving tool, especially in emergencies.
Once again, we want to express our deepest gratitude to the donor community. Your continued support is not just appreciated; it’s integral to our success. We take the responsibility of stewarding your donations very seriously and are committed to delivering the best outcomes for our patients and staff. Together, we are making a difference in rural health, and your role in this cannot be overstated.
Proceeds from the 24-hour Golf Challenge have supplied $29,000.00 in technology upgrades that will enhance the quality of healthcare delivery for everyone in Vulcan County and support our healthcare provider team here at the Vulcan Community Health Centre.
We have funded 2 Sure Temp infant thermometers for Public Health Nursing.
The impact on quality of care is when a newborn baby may show subtle signs of illness and quickly become sick. A precise temperature reading on a newborn is crucial in deciding the next care steps. This will help the family receive timely and appropriate referrals and care.
We are upgrading the vital signs machines in the Emergency Department.
Innovative technology will enable nurses and doctors to take vital signs in one minute. Obtaining new vital sign machines will significantly impact the quality of care for ER patients. The innovative technology allows for the quicker assessment of patients.
We are upgrading the stretcher in the Emergency Trauma Room.
The upgraded stretcher for the trauma room comes with a built-in digital scale. This is an essential feature for our healthcare team for unresponsive patients. Critical information can be obtained to deliver the highest possible quality of care. The new stretcher for the Trauma Room has arrived in Vulcan, This was made possible by the participants and supporters of the 24hr golf Challenge!
The AutoPulse® Resuscitation Systems
With the Power of Community – We are better together.
In early January of 2022, wait times for ambulances had significantly increased. Due to the situation, we embarked on a mission to improve our County’s medical response capabilities by adding 7 AutoPulse Resuscitation Systems to our responder’s toolboxes.
The AutoPulse Resuscitation System provides high-quality CPR to victims of sudden cardiac arrest. They are easy to use and battery-operated; AutoPulse squeezes the patient’s chest to improve blood flow to the heart and brain. AutoPulse automatically sizes to the patient and has shown improved outcomes in numerous clinical trials.
https://www.zoll.com/products/automated-cpr/autopulse-for-ems
Ensuring all four corners of our County, where our family, friends and neighbours reside, have access to an AutoPulse. The Vulcan County Health & Wellness Foundation launched a funding campaign in early February. To raise the money required to purchase seven complete systems. One for each Fire Hall in Vulcan County and one for the incident command vehicle. This fundraising target was exceeded in three and a half months—an incredible showing of support by private donors and our corporate community. Enough funding for this campaign has also allowed us to provide an eighth AutoPulse System to our neighbours at Siksika Nation Emergency Services. We were happy to present this equipment on May 3, 2023, to Tom Littlechild, Director of Emergency Services, Siksika Nation.
Deployment statistics of the Auto Pulse equipment around Vulcan County.
Stn 27 Vulcan 8 times with ROSC (return of spontaneous circulation) twice.
Stn 17 Milo used once.
Stn 16 Arrowwood was used once by STARS.
Stn 21 Carmangay was used once.
Thank you again to the many donors, both private citizens and corporate donors, that supported this campaign.
Please review more information on this website for how donor dollars enhance the quality of healthcare for all citizens of Vulcan County.
S.O.S Kare Kits (Support Our Staff Kare Kits)
Staff at the Vulcan Community Health Centre (Vulcan Hospital) have always worked under stressful medical field conditions. Not unlike all of us, this has been compounded by the Covid-19 Pandemic rules and restrictions.
In conversation with one of our nurses in April of 2020, our healthcare team’s daily struggles were identified. A basket of donated items was sent as a “Thank You” when the first lock-down was in full swing. And it was much appreciated, and the articles were well utilized.
As the COVID-19 reality extends, the stressors on our human resources at the VCHC also continue. Some of the significant stressors have been longer/or double shifts due to staff shortages or inclement weather. The hours of operation along with COVID-19 restrictions that impact local services in our community. And typical rural living challenges. An example is that there is no 24 hour cafeteria in the VCHC and no 24-hour stores or restaurants open in Vulcan. We know that many citizens in the community have offered to provide meals in the past. However, the restrictions around COVID-19 have and still impact the ability for heartwarming gestures like this to occur. But the heartfelt intent is so very appreciated by the staff.
After doing some brainstorming with some of the support staff and the staff at Carey Insurance Agency Inc. (a local business that decided to spearhead this idea), we came up with the S.O.S. KARE KITS. There will be 2 types of kits that will support the staff at the Vulcan Health Centre.
1. Nutrition Theme Kit:
This kit will hold a variety of nutritious grab and go food items. They will provide some needed energy for the support staff if they find themselves stuck in a situation where they need some quick fuel for their bodies.
2. Personal Hygiene Kits:
This kit will be located in staff bathrooms. Which will house items that may be needed for personal care, such as dental, personal hygiene products and feminine hygiene products, as a few examples.
Although these kits may seem like a small gesture, we hope that these kits will help decrease some of our healthcare workers’ daily stress and show our appreciation for all that they do for our community.
Carey Insurance Agency Inc., an agency of the Co-operators, has donated all the materials and contents to start the kits. We estimate that it will cost approximately $100/month to keep these kits stocked so the program can be ongoing. All products are being sourced by local businesses. The plan will be to keep purchasing all of the items locally to support local business.
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
SMALL & LARGE DONATIONS WILL MAKE A BIG IMPACT FOR THIS PROGRAM!
As a Vulcan County Health & Wellness Foundation program, any donation of $20 or more will receive a Tax Receipt.
The Vulcan Community Health Centre has recently dealt with an outbreak of Covid 19. And the SOS Kare Kits were a tremendous support to our healthcare workers.
Thank you from the staff at VCHC.
This is when it counts the most! We have staff putting in extra shifts and working extended hours. The added snacks and beverages help give us a boost both physically and mentally!
Donor Stories
The Staff at the Vulcan Community Health Centre is using the Wellness Space for ongoing training. And would like the community to know how thankful they are.
ACLS (advanced cardiac life support) took place in the wellness centre on Tuesday January 26, 2021. The staff was covering IOs at this station (intraosseous – drilling into the bone when no IV access). We do this often in cardiac compromised patients and trauma patients. Staff are able to spread out during class content and then can come together for skills station.
I am home again! Words cannot express my gratitude! It has been a challenging 8 months of not being in clinical space.
I have been given permission to use Room 1317 for office space, and Exam Room 1335 to see patients. The two sites I work out of are, Vulcan and Okotoks. The majority of my referrals are from the Vulcan Medical Clinic.
I have been out in the community here since 2007. I work with the most amazing Colleagues and I am excited to get back to seeing my patients in person! The office and exam rooms are lovely and I am most appreciative. If you could please share this message with anyone who was involved with creating these spaces.
Regards,
Carrie
Connect Care is the bridge between information, healthcare teams, patients and the future. The foundation of Connect Care is a common clinical information system, that will allow healthcare providers a central access point to patient information, common clinical standards and healthcare practices.
Currently, the Wellness Space is being utilized for onsite training for our local healthcare team. Having space to provide this training, and remain socially distanced and safe.
We are able to do this training in this place, because of your donations.
Thank you!
On Wednesday, Feb. 17 we had Patrice Jull from 3M** come and provide education on Negative Pressure Wound Therapy using V.A.C. Therapy (vacuum-assisted closure). We set it up as a Zoom session for other staff to attend as well.
This type of therapy delivers negative pressure (from a vacuum) to a specialized foam dressing attached to the wound. This helps promote wound healing for difficult to heal wounds. The presentation covered how to prepare the wound bed, dress it and use the V.A.C. unit and accessories. Staff then participated in hands-on learning practicing with the equipment and simulated wound beds provided by Patrice. We finished off the session by setting up and completing wound care on our actual patient requiring this kind of therapy.
We don’t often receive patients with wound vacuum dressings so having the opportunity to bring in some “just in time training” helps staff provide current and competent safe care. This type of therapy is being used more and we will likely see more patients with it. Being able to provide this to our patients helps bring them back to their community sooner, spending less time in the urban hospitals.
We were so grateful to have the opportunity to use the new Multipurpose Room at the Vulcan Community Health Centre for the Covid-19 Vaccine Program. Our focus on the first few clinics is on the ages of 75 and up. For a lot of the seniors, it was their first visit since the new build, and they expressed how fortunate they were to be able to receive the Vaccine here in Vulcan. Having this large space available really simplified the planning of the Vaccination Program.
It is a beautiful, functional space!
Heart and Stroke Basic Life Support class is a yearly mandated course by AHS. It covers cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for adults, children and infants. Staff get the opportunity to practice their chest compressions and rescue breaths and use defibrillation (electric shock to the heart) for a patient in cardiac arrest ( heart stops beating). In the pictures, it was a mix of RNS LPNS HCAS. We are assessing the breathing and pulse of the patient in the group picture. I am demonstrating proper technique for chest compressions in the other picture