STAFF WRITERS
LOY Yang B Technician/Operator Anthony Callahan recently reached an important milestone, and if it wasn’t for a visit to Latrobe Regional Health (LRH), the occasion would have slipped by.
Anthony has been donating a portion of his salary to LRH for the past 21 years under a ‘workplace giving’ program run by his employer.
Recent contributions by Anthony and his colleagues have helped LRH purchase a device which can ‘see’ below the skin. It will be used by staff in the Emergency Department (ED) to quickly and accurately locate veins so a needle or cannula can be inserted to deliver critical medications or fluids to a patient or to take blood.
Anthony was given a rare glimpse of what lies beneath when nurse Melissa Fabris held the device over his arm and hand.
“This device is amazing and you can really see what a difference it makes,” Anthony said.
“Just like we need to have the best tools in our job at Loy Yang B, I want the staff at LRH to have the best tools to do the best job they can.”
Loy Yang B employees choose the piece of equipment that will benefit from their hard-earned dollars.
In the past they have helped LRH to purchase blood pressure monitors for the Cardiology Unit and special cots for newborns who are unwell. Often, they are drawn to equipment which they know might one day help themselves, their family or friends.
“It’s really easy being part of this program and we feel this sense of achievement in our workplace to help LRH,” Anthony said.
Melissa Fabris said the ED team was “super excited” to receive the device, known as a ‘Accuvein’.
“Most medications are time critical, especially in the ED and it can be very painful and traumatic for patients if their veins are difficult to find,” she said.
“This equipment will really help to speed up procedures and reduce anxiety for patients.”
