(Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Friday 06th July, 2018): InterHealth Canada – Turks and Caicos Islands Hospital has acquired four (4) new state-of-the-art ventilators that will provide critical patients with enhanced respiratory care. The Puritan Bennett™ 840 ventilators are also equipped with optional advanced technology upgrades, which can be customized to meet a variety of future clinical needs.

Unlike conventional mechanical ventilators that are specific to a patient type, the new equipment can meet the needs of practically every patient type —from neonatal patients weighing as little as 300 grams to adult patients weighing as much as 150 kg. The ventilator improves the patient’s ease of breathing and has additional safety features.

Representatives from Medtronic, the global manufacturer and only authorized training provider of the ventilator systems along with Medical Link, conducted training exercises on July 2 – July 6, 2018 at Cheshire Hall Medical Centre. Biomedical engineers were trained on the installation components, while physicians and nurses were trained on how to use the ventilators and troubleshoot. These trainees are now certified and will serve as super users to cross train other medical staff.

InterHealth Canada’s partnership with the Turks and Caicos Islands Government (TCIG) to manage the hospital encompasses an equipment replacement program to ensure there is an upkeep of medical devices in accordance with an equipment life cycle plan. The plan allows for the replacement of existing medical devices and equipment with new medical technology and system upgrades via monies obtained from TCIG that have accumulated over time. New medical devices and equipment that were not present during the opening of the hospital are sourced via the fund once a business proposal referred to as a change enquiry is presented to TCIG, and approval has been granted.

The introduction of new ventilator equipment reinforces the hospital’s commitment to keep pace with changes in medical technology and evidence-based practices to improve patient outcomes and ensure patient safety. Commenting on the new equipment, Surgical Services and Biomedical Services Manager, Pheona Brown said: “Our critical patients will benefit greatly from these state of the art ventilation systems, which will be positioned in critical care areas such as the Emergency Department, High Dependency Unit, Surgical Suite and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. We are extremely pleased to be able to offer even better quality care to our patients, with the introduction of this new innovative technology.”

ENDS