2 September 2024

Transporting patients with breathing difficulties to different hospital medical rooms is now much easier with the donation of two new high flow humidifiers to Wimmera Base Hospital.

The Horsham branch of the Blue Ribbon Foundation purchased two Airvo 3 Optiflow High Flow systems and donated them to Grampians Health Horsham’s Emergency Department. The ED had previously relied on a much more inferior item that limited transfers of patients with breathing difficulties.

ED nurse unit manager Rebecca Bolzon said the new devices had a 40-minute battery charge so patients could easily be transferred to units such as radiology or ICU while safely maintaining a high oxygen flow.

“The importance of having these devices has been made clear to the Blue Ribbon Foundation because the day they came in to get a press photo, both devices were being used by patients so we couldn’t even pose with one of them,” Ms Bolzon said.

“They have instantly gone to work and are doing their job so we are very grateful to the Blue Ribbon Foundation and the community that supports their events,” she said.

“The devices help reduce the work for a patient’s breathing and allows us to give them high amounts of oxygen.

“We will use them a lot on asthmatic patients and those with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Paediatrics also respond well to the devices and they provide humidification as well. The new device is also very user-friendly because the interface is virtually like a computer.”

Blue Ribbon Foundation Horsham Chair Paul Margetts said his committee was pleased to be able to provide such important items to the Emergency Department at Grampians Health Horsham.

“The Blue Ribbon Foundation was created to perpetuate the memory of Victoria Police members who have died in the line of duty,” Mr Margetts said.

“Raising money in their honour and then donating it for such important hospital items is our way of ensuring they are remembered always.”

Grampians Health Regional Director Hospitals/West Carolyn Robertson thanked the Blue Ribbon Foundation for their generosity.

"The Foundation has played a key role in procuring many pieces of essential equipment for the hospital over the years. We are glad to have their ongoing support in caring for our communities."

ED nurse unit manager Rebecca Bolzon with Horsham Blue Ribbon
Foundation executive Dale Russell, David Scott and Paul Margetts.