Wednesday 19 September 2018

Taupo Hospital & Health Society to fundraise for a heart scanner

The Taupo Hospital and Health Society has announced it will fundraise for an echocardiogram machine, or ultrasound heart scanner, for Taupo Hospital.

The society’s July 2018 meeting unanimously agreed to fundraise the $350,000 needed to purchase the heart scanner. The campaign was formally announced to the society’s 350-plus members at its annual general meeting this week (held Tuesday 18 September), and President Lil Hancock says fundraising will now begin.

Currently patients from Taupo/Turangi needing an echocardiagram need to travel to Rotorua Hospital for the test.
The number of Taupo/Turangi patients needing an echocardiogram has increased by approximately 35 per cent in the past five years.

Lil Hancock says the society has an excellent record of fundraising for health, and its members are drawing up a comprehensive plan of fundraising activities that will be rolled out in the coming months.

What is an echocardiogram?
An echocardiogram (Echo) is an ultrasound scan of your heart and is performed by a cardiac sonographer.

Why is this machine needed at Taupo Hospital?
Currently patients from Taupo/Turangi needing an echo need to travel to Rotorua Hospital for the test. Echocardiography permits rapid assessment of cardiac size, structure, function, and hemodynamics (the dynamics of blood flow).

Cardiac ultrasound is used across the entire spectrum of patient care from in utero to the frail elderly patient.
Echocardiography is sensitive and specific for a broad range of clinical disorders.

What is echocardiography used for?
Echo is used to investigate a wide variety of symptoms and conditions including:
• Chest pain, shortness of breath, palpitations, murmur, dizziness or loss of consciousness, TIA or stroke, enlarged hearts diagnosed on x-ray, abnormal heart rhythms.
• Patients with signs of high cardiovascular risk are often referred for echo prior to general surgery.
• Patients treated with some types of chemotherapy require monitoring with echo throughout their treatment.
• Screening for and close watch of rheumatic valvular heart disease.
• Our heart children require echo to diagnose and monitor congenital heart defects
Cardiovascular or heart disease is one of the largest causes of death in New Zealand.

The Taupo Hospital and Health Society celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2017, again committing to assist with the continuation and development of health care services for all people within the Taupo/Turangi area.

The Society contributed significantly to the redevelopment of Taupo Hospital, donating a total of $850,000 towards the project. The Society also contributed a significant amount towards the Turangi Community Health Centre, which opened in October 2008. During the 25 years of its existence, the Society has also fundraised for and purchased a host of medical equipment and patient comfort items.

Lakes DHB’s Chief Operating Officer Nick Saville-Wood says the DHB has always greatly valued the input and the generosity of the society.
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