You Are Vital: Equipment

These 100+ pieces of leading-edge equipment align the expertise and experience of our care teams with vital information. Advanced patient monitoring technology across both hospitals helps our medical professionals react quickly to crucial information — what is going on this instant inside a patient — and allows them to pivot, if necessary, so they can respond second-by-second with the absolute best diagnosis, treatment and care.

With greater speed, detail, and precision, this technology gathers information the medical professionals at Royal Jubilee and Victoria General hospitals need so they can observe, in real-time, what is happening inside a patient’s body.

Our care teams have identified the most essential equipment to enhance their ability to make the right decisions, in the right moment, for the best outcome, across eleven areas of care.

Click below to read real patient stories, learn about the equipment and donate.

Critical Care focuses on critically ill or severely injured patients who require one-to-one medical attention and continuous monitoring. Every year, more than 1,100 people require critical care at Royal Jubilee and Victoria General hospitals for acute or life-threatening conditions such as organ failure or major trauma. Royal Jubilee and Victoria General hospitals are Vancouver Island’s two intensive care referral centres. Victoria General, as the only Level 3 trauma centre in the region, provides the highest level of care, from resuscitation to rehabilitation.

The You Are Vital Campaign will be funding the following equipment for Critical Care:

Central Monitors and System Upgrade (ICU, RJH) $37,500

The RJH Intensive Care Unit (ICU) requires central monitors and an upgrade of hardware and software systems that connect to monitors and information systems around the hospital. The system is an essential communication tool that benefits our most critically ill patients. The information centre is a central monitoring system that gives a centralized, consolidated view of each patient’s current status and connects directly to their electronic health record. The RJH ICU handles a comprehensive array of acute conditions which put patients at serious risk, including — but not limited to — organ failure, trauma, and post-emergency and post-surgery recovery.  It is vital that these patients are closely monitored during their time in the ICU and these upgrades will ensure that caregivers are able to do that.

Cancer Care focuses on every aspect of cancer care from prevention and diagnosis to consultation, therapy, and rehabilitation, including medication, radiation, chemotherapy, and hormonal therapy. More than 2,300 cancer patients receive inpatient oncology care at Royal Jubilee and Victoria General hospitals each year, with more than 30% from outside Greater Victoria. As Vancouver Island’s specialty oncology hospitals, Royal Jubilee hosts the region’s radiotherapy and radio immunotherapy units, and one of BC Cancer Agency’s full-service centres, while Victoria General houses the Breast Health Centre and oversees child oncology treatments.

The You Are Vital Campaign will be funding the following equipment for Cancer Care:

Surgical Image Recording System (Endoscopy, RJH) 3 @ $30,000
This new surgical image recording system in the Endoscopy Clinic at Royal Jubilee Hospital (RJH) will allow images to be transferred securely between endoscopic procedures and patients’ electric health records (EHRs).

Esophageal Motility Testing System (Endoscopy, VGH) 1 @ $63,000
A manometry equipment system is used to conduct esophageal motility testing, allowing caregivers to observe and analyze the function level of the sphincters.

The Heart Health program administers to all cardiac needs, with the exception of heart transplants, such as open-heart surgeries, angiograms, angioplasties, cardiac device insertions and electrophysiology procedures. Every year, over 200,000 Vancouver Island residents undergo cardiac assessment and more than 6,300 cardiac procedures. Royal Jubilee is Vancouver Island’s referral centre for cardiac care. Our Heart Health program oversees 3,500 inpatient cases annually, with half from outside Greater Victoria. In 2018, this dynamic program celebrated its 25,000th open-heart surgery — a monumental milestone.

The You Are Vital Campaign will be funding the following pieces of equipment for Cardiac Care:

Central Monitors and System Upgrade (Cardiac Rehab, RJH & VGH) 14 @ $37,500

Royal Jubilee Hospital’s Cardiac Rehab Heart Function Clinic, Surgical Heart Health Unit, Cardiac Short Stay Unit, Heart Health Unit, and Cardiovascular Unit (CVU) require central monitors and an upgrade of hardware and software systems that connect to monitors and information systems around the hospital. The system is an essential communication tool that benefits our most critically ill patients. The information centre is a central monitoring system that gives a centralized, consolidated view of each patient’s current status and connects directly to their electronic health record.

Wearable Cardiac Monitor (EDS, RJH & VGH) 2 @ $45,000

The Royal Jubilee and Victoria General hospitals each require a replacement holter system to monitor patients experiencing problems with the electrical systems of their hearts. Holter monitoring is utilized when preliminary electrocardiography tests yield incomplete, inconclusive or unsatisfactory diagnostic results. This system monitors electrical cardiac functioning while allowing patients to engage in their normal daily routines. With additional Holter monitors, the cardiac program will be better able to meet the increasing demands placed on its Heart Health program. Additionally, the portability of these monitors will ensure cardiac patients can be accurately monitored outside of the clinical environment, ensuring a more realistic appraisal of the electrical functioning of a patient’s heart.

Bladder Scanner (EDS / Cardiac Short Stay Stay, RJH) 2 @ $18,000

The Victoria General Hospital (VGH) is in need of two new ultrasound bladder scanners for the cardiac electrodiagnostics (EDS) component of its Heart Health program. An ultrasound machine emits sound waves and different tissues produce different echoes. A bladder scanner is specifically designed to calculate the level of fluid in the bladder, a feature that is useful for clinicians before, during, and after their patients undergo procedures. Victoria General completes over 200 procedures per year that require the use of a bladder scanner. A new system would ensure the high standard of patient care Victoria General provides is both continued and enhanced.

Assessment Treadmill (Cardiac Rehab, RJH) $9,000

The Heart Health team at Royal Jubilee Hospital (RJH) is in need of a new treadmill to be used in the assessment and rehabilitation of cardiac patients. Treadmills are a valuable tool because they provide a safe, low-impact assessment of patients’ cardiac functioning. The Heart Health team at Royal Jubilee uses exercise for patient assessment and to track the progress of patients’ rehabilitation. Exercise is a quick and easy way to place the heart under realistic loads — assessing its ability to cope with the stress placed upon it by everyday activities, thereby giving clinicians the best possible information.

Cell Saver (Perfusion, RJH) $57,000

The Royal Jubilee Hospital (RJH) is in need of a new autologous perfusion system (also known as a cell saver) for use during cardiovascular surgery. This equipment is designed to collect, clean, and reinfuse the blood lost by a patient during surgery. A cell saver collects blood lost by a patient during surgery. The cell saver runs the blood through a specialized filtering and cleansing procedure before returning it to the patient. Furthermore, should a hemorrhage or other complication arise, a cell saver can keep pace with major blood loss without the need to request additional blood from the blood bank. A new cell saver would further enhance the efficiency of Royal Jubilee’s blood utilization, improving patient outcomes while ensuring blood bank supplies remain well-stocked for situations of great need.

Electrophysiology Mapping System (Electrophysiology Lab, RJH) $33,000

The Heart Health team at Royal Jubilee Hospital (RJH) is in need of a new cardiac mapping system for its Electrophysiology (EP) labs. Electrophysiology is a branch of cardiac medicine that deals with the electrical system of the heart, particularly with regards to the diagnosis and treatment of heart rhythm disorders, also known as arrhythmias. Cardiac mapping involves clinicians accessing the heart via electrode-equipped catheters threaded through the patients’ blood vessels, a procedure known as an electrophysiology study. A cardiac mapping system also aids in treatment of electrophysiological issues through such procedures as ablation, as it accurately pinpoints areas of concern, allowing clinicians to achieve their goal of blocking erratic electrical activity, while ensuring the procedure is as highly targeted as possible.

Diagnostic Services focuses on laboratory medicine, medical imaging, and pharmacy services, which provide medical experts with the data they need for rapid and accurate patient diagnosis and treatment, and drive more than 60% of all medical decisions across all areas of care at Royal Jubilee and Victoria General hospitals. Every year, staff perform over 6.6 million laboratory tests, encompassing blood work, medical genetics, specimen collection, and transfusion medicine, and more than 275,000 medical imaging procedures, including CT, MRI, angiography, X-Ray, and ultrasound.

The You Are Vital Campaign will be funding the following equipment for Diagnostic Services:

Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing Instrument (Lab — Microbiology, RJH) $54,000

An automated ID and susceptibility instrument is part of a microbiology system that detects known and emerging antimicrobial resistance.

Emergency & Trauma focuses on initial treatment for patients with a wide range of possibly life-threatening illness and injury, 24 hours a day. Whether faced with shortness of breath, neurological symptoms, signs of heart attack or stroke, extreme pain or severe trauma, these patients are immediately assessed by a triage nurse to determine if they require critical, acute, or ambulatory care. With Greater Victoria’s growing and aging population, visits to the Emergency Departments of Royal Jubilee and Victoria General hospitals have increased 22% over the last five years. Combined, these hospitals serve over 300 patients per day, resulting in more than 119,000 visits per year.

The You Are Vital Campaign will be funding the following pieces of equipment for Emergency & Trauma:

Central Monitors and System Upgrade (ED, RJH)  2 @ $37,500

The RJH Emergency Department requires central monitors and an upgrade of hardware and software systems that connect to monitors and information systems around the hospital. The system is an essential communication tool that benefits our most critically ill patients. The information centre is a central monitoring system that gives a centralized, consolidated view of each patient’s current status and connects directly to their electronic health record. The Emergency Department treats patients in life-threatening situations and having the most up-to-date monitoring aids caregivers in giving them the best care possible.

System Upgrade (ED, VGH) 2 @ $447,500 

The VGH Emergency Department requires central monitors and an upgrade of hardware and software systems that connect to monitors and information systems around the hospital. The system is an essential communication tool that benefits our most critically ill patients. The information centre is a central monitoring system that gives a centralized, consolidated view of each patient’s current status and connects directly to their electronic health record. The Emergency Department treats patients in life-threatening situations and having the most up-to-date monitoring aids caregivers in giving them the best care possible.

Bedside Monitors (ED, VGH) 18 @ $20,000

The VGH Emergency Department requires new bedside monitors. Bedside monitors provide primary patient monitoring as well and display relevant clinical information. Caregivers can view the patient’s vital signs and current status wirelessly through hand-held device applications as well as at the central monitoring station.  The Emergency Department treats patients in life-threatening situations and having the most up-to-date monitoring aids caregivers in giving them the best care possible.

Portable Monitors (ED, VGH) 3 @ $15,000

The VGH Emergency Department requires new portable monitors. Durable, lightweight portable monitors can travel with patients during transport. Patients may move around the hospital for diagnosis and treatment and these monitors allow clinicians to view detailed physiological data anywhere at any time. Caregivers can view the patient’s vital signs and current status wirelessly through hand-held device applications as well as at the central monitoring station.  The Emergency Department treats patients in life-threatening situations and having the most up-to-date monitoring aids caregivers in giving them the best care possible.

Patient Monitor System (Emergency & Trauma Care, RJH) 2 @ $29,500

The Emergency Department at Royal Jubilee Hospital (RJH) is in need of two additional cardiac rhythm monitors. These monitors are utilized every day during emergency care situations to monitor the vital signs of patients, and also play a critical role in diagnosis and treatment. Modern patient monitoring systems integrate the measurements and assessments with information collection, enabling clinicians to easily track and analyze a patient’s status over time. An increase in monitoring capabilities will allow Royal Jubilee Hospital to accommodate the changing needs of the community and the corresponding increase in patients receiving care in the Emergency Department.

General Medicine provides a comprehensive approach to all conditions, diseases and illnesses affecting a patient’s diverse systems, including acute conditions like bone, kidney, and lung health, alongside long-term health challenges such as arthritis and diabetes. Seeing tens of thousands of patients per year, these medical professionals at Royal Jubilee and Victoria General hospitals integrate medical images, vital signs, tests, and procedures toward overarching health. Royal Jubilee hosts the only Burn Care Unit on the Island, the Kidney Care Unit for renal patients suffering with chronic kidney disease, and the Pain Clinic at Royal Jubilee sees 10,000 annually, treating chronic pain through medicinal, physical, psychological, social, and spiritual therapy.

The You Are Vital Campaign will be funding the following pieces of equipment for General Medicine:

Central Monitors and System Upgrade (3NE, RJH) $37,500

The RJH General Medicine Unit requires central monitors and an upgrade of hardware and software systems that connect to monitors and information systems around the hospital. The system is an essential communication tool that benefits our most critically ill patients. The information centre is a central monitoring system that gives a centralized, consolidated view of each patient’s current status and connects directly to their electronic health record.

Pulmonary Function Machine (Respiratory, RJH) $100,000

A pulmonary function machine is used during pulmonary function testing (PFT), assessing the physical mechanics and function of a patient’s respiratory system.

Hemodialysis Monitor (Renal Unit, RJH) $23,000

A transonic HD03 hemodialysis monitor allows clinicians to monitor ongoing hemodialysis and record data to analyze the progress of a hemodialysis treatment plan.

Maternity & Pediatrics span perinatal services, maternity care, a general pediatrics unit, an oncology clinic, and one of BC’s four high-level neonatal intensive care and pediatric intensive care units. Every year, Victoria General Hospital, Vancouver Island’s referral centre for maternity and pediatrics, delivers over 3,000 babies and cares for more than 2,000 kids, supporting, celebrating, and reassuring thousands of families, including life-saving cancer treatment for more than 30 children at the Pediatric Oncology Clinic. Less than 1% of cases are transferred to Vancouver.

The You Are Vital Campaign will be funding the following equipment for Maternity & Pediatrics:

Bilirubin Meters (Mother & Baby Unit, VGH) $10,000

A bilirubin meter is used to assess jaundice by measuring a newborn’s bilirubin levels without penetrating the skin.

Mental Health focuses on a full spectrum of need from acute psychiatric illness to long-term mental health challenges so patients can rest, heal, and recuperate. Royal Jubilee Hospital’s Mental Health and Substance Use program treats over 2,200 inpatient cases every year, and includes the region’s Psychiatric Emergency Services Unit at the Archie Courtnall Centre, dedicated units for specialized, long-term mental health care such as the Seniors Mental Health Unit, and outpatient resources at the Eric Martin Pavilion. Victoria General Hospital offers immediate, specialized mental health crisis help for those under 17 years of age.

The You Are Vital Campaign will be funding the following equipment for Mental Health:

Therapy Mattresses (Schizophrenia Care)   4 @ $10,000 each
Royal Jubilee Hospital (RJH) is in need of four replacement mattresses for the Adult Mental Health Units in the Patient Care Centre. When a patient is admitted to hospital experiencing a mental health condition such as psychosis the first goal of their care team is to stabilize their condition. A stable, comfortable environment is critical during this phase of treatment. These specialized mattresses provide a stable, comfortable environment for this phase of treatment. They contain air pockets that automatically adjust to a patient’s position — upright, reclining or lying flat — and ensure pressure is evenly distributed, maximizing patient comfort and minimizing risk of pressure ulcers. These mattresses are versatile, adaptable to different bed frames and treatment conditions, and suited to long-term, sanitary use with, for example, a stain resistance surface treated with an antimicrobial additive. Last year, the mental health units in the Patient Care Centre cared for over 1,200 patients from across Vancouver Island.

Neurosciences & Rehabilitation focus on those who require brain or spinal treatment and rehabilitation after illness, injury, and surgery, including a range of conditions including trauma, epilepsy, tumours, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson’s disease. Each year, more than 2,200 patients rely on Victoria General Hospital, the Island’s neurological care referral centre, which hosts the regional Stroke Program and Stroke Rapid Assessment Unit. Royal Jubilee Hospital hosts the Multiple Sclerosis Clinic. Last year, our hospitals oversaw 358 stroke patients, 256 brain surgeries, and 592 spinal surgeries, who recovered in Victoria General’s 29-bed Neurological Rehabilitation Unit or in Royal Jubilee’s 25-bed Musculo-Skeletal Rehabilitation Unit.

The You Are Vital Campaign will be funding the following equipment for Neuroscience & Rehabilitation:

Portable Intracranial Monitors (Neurosciences & Rehabilitation, VGH) 3 @ $27,000

A portable intracranial pressure monitor measures the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), blood flow, and temperature within a patient’s skull, allowing caregivers to diagnose, monitor, and treat patients with brain conditions.

Seniors Health focuses on assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation of complex, multi-system conditions, and unique degenerative conditions common to seniors. Nearly one in four Vancouver Islanders is over 65. Royal Jubilee and Victoria General hospitals serve over 17,000 Seniors patients annually through specialized inpatient units and home visits. The Seniors Outpatient Clinic at Royal Jubilee supports seniors living independently and receives 7,000 visits a year. Royal Jubilee’s Patient Care Centre is the world’s first hospital designed specifically for the elderly, with a dedicated Geriatric Mental Health Unit to care for those with mental health issues, dementia, and Alzheimer’s Disease.

Surgical Services focuses on patients who require surgery at Royal Jubilee and Victoria General hospitals across all 26 operating rooms for specialized procedures, including cardiac, vascular, orthopedic, plastic, pediatric, trauma, urology, neurosurgery, and ophthalmology. Last year, our hospitals performed 63,000 inpatient and outpatient surgeries.

The You Are Vital Campaign will be funding the following pieces of equipment for Surgical Services:

Central Monitors and System Upgrade (PACU, RJH) $37,500

The RJH Post Anesthetic Care Unit requires central monitors and an upgrade of hardware and software systems that connect to monitors and information systems around the hospital. The system is an essential communication tool that benefits our most critically ill patients. The information centre is a central monitoring system that gives a centralized, consolidated view of each patient’s current status and connects directly to their electronic health record. This system would be utilized in the PACU, which houses patients who have just undergone surgical procedures and specializes in caring for patients whose bodies and consciousness are resuming function (or “waking up”) after being anesthetized.

Central Monitors and System Upgrade (7NE, RJH) 2 @ $37,500

The RJH Thoracic and Vascular Surgery Unit requires central monitors and an upgrade of hardware and software systems that connect to monitors and information systems around the hospital. The system is an essential communication tool that benefits our most critically ill patients. The information centre is a central monitoring system that gives a centralized, consolidated view of each patient’s current status and connects directly to their electronic health record. RJH is the only hospital on Vancouver Island that performs thoracic surgeries. The system upgrades would optimize care for the almost 700 patients who undergo thoracic surgery each year. It is vital that these patients are closely monitored during their recovery and these upgrades will ensure that caregivers are able to do that.

Large C-Arm (Operating Room, VGH) $211,000

This large C-Arm is a maneuverable, and versatile machine that captures detailed X-ray images in real-time.

Mini C-Arm (Operating Room, Plastics, and Ortho Clinic, RJH) 3 @ $103,000

A mini C-Arm is a small, maneuverable, and versatile machine that captures detailed X-ray images in real-time.

Patient Monitor System (Post-Anaesthetic Care Unit, RJH) 2 @ $30,500

This system allows clinicians to analyze surgery patients’ vital signs, i.e. pulse, ECG rhythm, respiration, blood pressure, and body temperature as they stir post-anaesthetic. It plays a critical role in diagnosis and treatment.

Ophthalmology Probe (Ophthalmology, RJH) $17,000

For use during surgical eye procedures, an ophthalmology probe allows clinicians to obtain a view into the eye to unmask underlying pathologies such as retinal tears, detachments, haemorrhages, or tumours.

Internal Thoracic Video System (Operating Room, Thoracic) $79,000

A video mediastinoscope is utilized during thoracic surgery, allowing clinicians to visualize and record the interior of the chest cavity.

Information Centre $21,000 

The information centre is a central monitoring system that gives a centralized, consolidated view of each patient’s current status. The system improves staff communication, which enhances the quality of care for our most critically ill patients. It brings together physiological data, including blood pressure, blood oxygen level and heart activity, so it can be accessed by caregivers anywhere and anytime. Easily accessible, up-to-date information allows caregivers to make important diagnostic and treatment decisions in a timely manner.

Donate