Spring Support Helps Fund Essential Equipment Across GGH – A Heartfelt Thank You From a GGH Nurse

“It’s easy to overlook just how important some patient care equipment is, but for healthcare teams, including us nurses, it’s everything,” says Trish, an Operating Room nurse.

In fact, donors fund all patient care equipment at GGH. And thanks to the incredible generosity of donors who gave during the spring fundraising campaign, GGH was able to purchase essential nursing equipment across the hospital, including new lights in the OR.

After 25 years as an Operating Room (OR) nurse at Guelph General Hospital (GGH), Trish can’t imagine being anywhere else. “I couldn’t be anywhere but the operating room,” she says with pride.

“Having good lighting to see what you’re doing is extremely important,” Trish emphasizes. Guelph General performs between 35 and 40 operations each day, and the right tools in the OR is critical. While lights may seem like a simple necessity, Trish explains their significance: “When you’re performing surgery and need to see with microscopic precision, you have to have good lighting.”

The newly installed OR lights are built for precision, automatically adjusting to maintain constant illumination exactly where it’s needed most—on the surgical site. “With the advances in technology, like LED lights, these new ones are just fantastic,” she adds.

But the impact of donor generosity doesn’t stop at the OR. Thanks to your support this past spring, nurses across the hospital are better equipped with vital tools that make a real difference in patient care. From the Emergency Department to the Intensive Care Unit, new equipment is helping staff deliver timely, high-quality care to patients when they need it most.

For instance, donors helped fund several new vital signs monitors—a key tool used by nurses to continuously assess patients’ heart rate, oxygen levels, and blood pressure. These monitors are essential in ensuring that even the slightest changes in a patient’s condition are detected and addressed promptly.

The hospital also purchased new stretchers, designed to transport patients safely and efficiently, particularly in critical care situations. Whether moving patients to the X-ray room or between departments, these stretchers enhance both patient safety and staff efficiency.

Additionally, a replacement floor lift was funded, allowing nurses to safely transfer patients with limited mobility, reducing strain on both patients and staff. These lifts are crucial for ensuring patients are moved with dignity and care, while also preventing injuries for healthcare workers.

“With every piece of equipment we receive, whether it’s new lights in the OR or a vital signs monitor in a patient’s room, it all makes a difference,” Trish says. “It means we can provide the best care possible, with the tools we need to do our jobs well.”

From a small handheld device like a Doppler ultrasound probe to a cutting-edge MRI machine, every single piece of equipment at GGH is purchased thanks to generous donors like you.

“At some point in your life, you or someone you love will need Guelph General Hospital,” Trish reflects. “Knowing that your donation has helped make something better—that’s powerful. We are bettering the entire hospital. If it makes our work easier and better, and if it leads to better outcomes for the patient, why wouldn’t we do that?” Your support fills the toolbox of our hospital’s dedicated healthcare teams, ensuring they have the equipment needed to provide top-notch care. Thank you for being a part of this journey toward a healthier community!