Vernon Legion Funds New Equipment at VJH

Thanks to a generous donation from The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 25 Vernon, Vernon Jubilee Hospital has additional vital testing equipment.The Legion donated $17,790 to Vernon Jubilee Hospital Foundation for the purchase of a bladder scanner in the Emergency Department (ED). The ED, which had 47,908 visits last year, had only one scanner which was used multiple times each day, with increasing demand.

“The new bladder scanner will assist physicians and nurses to perform non-invasive bladder assessment and timely patient evaluation,” said Lisa Westermark, VJH Foundation Executive Director.“We are very grateful to the Vernon Legion, its members, and members of our community who generously support them.”

Bladder scanners are non-invasive portable ultrasound devices that provide a virtual 3D image of the bladder and the volume of urine retained within the bladder. Retained urine is a reservoir for bacteria and pathogens which can cause urinary tract infections leading to renal damage, pain and retention.Many veterans and their families require health care attention at the Vernon Jubilee Hospital Emergency Department and will benefit greatly from this technology.Funds for the bladder scanner were raised through the Vernon Legion’s poppy campaign, which provides funding for veteran-related causes including special medical equipment, social and health-related services for veterans and seniors, low-rental housing, geriatric research, and bursaries for under-privileged youth.The annual poppy campaign runs from Oct 31 to Nov 11, with poppies available by donation at various locations throughout the North Okanagan. pictured:  Bill Balcaen (President, Royal Canadian Legion Branch 25), Lisa Westermark, (VJH Foundation Executive Director), John Miller (Service Officer, Royal Canadian Legion Branch 25)