Interior Health (IH) recently announced that, as of August 29 and operating Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., a new ultrasound device is now available at the Invermere District Hospital (IDH).
“Access to ultrasound within Invermere District Hospital not only positively impacts Columbia Valley residents, but improves capacity across the East Kootenay region as a whole,” said Laura Slipp, director of clinical operations.
“Having this important diagnostic service in Invermere provides thousands of individuals each year more convenient and accessible health care closer to their homes and reduces the burden and stress that comes along with travelling to another community for health care services. Interior Health is grateful for the generous support of East Kootenay Foundation for Health and each donor that made this new service a reality.”
According to IH, this new addition will help repatriate 2,500 to 3,000 general ultrasound exams every year to the Columbia Valley region, with no change for local patients with respect to elective outpatient referrals, which will be automatically rescheduled at IDH if they live in the Columbia Valley region.
The new ultrasound service had start-up costs of around $340,000, funded entirely by the East Kootenay Foundation for Health (EKFH). This cost is comprised mainly by the ultrasound machine itself, plus other supporting equipment such as an ultrasound-specific stretcher and chair, a reprocessing device, computer hardware and supporting computers.
“The new ultrasound service at Invermere District Hospital was 100 per cent funded by donors,” said EKFH executive director Brenna Hong. “Without you, it simply would not have happened. Because of your generosity, your community now has access to this vital service close to home.
“We are especially grateful for the phenomenal support from individuals throughout Invermere and district, including generous gifts from Richard Thompson and Sigrid Black, as well as the Invermere Healthcare Auxiliary Society, whose ongoing dedication continually strengthens health care across the East Kootenay Region. We are also truly thankful for every gift made through our Beneath the Surface Campaign — together, you made this a reality.”
EKFH provides funding to a variety of health care initiatives, such as their A Warm Embrace Campaign, across the East Kootenay. They support five hospitals, three health centres, five long-term care homes and community programming. Learn more at ekfh.ca
Located in Invermere, B.C., the Invermere and District Hospital is a Level 1 community hospital in the East Kootenay health service area. The hospital offers services including acute care, laboratory, and 24-hour emergency services.
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