Funding non-NHS funded equipment
Friends of ANCHOR funds the purchase of non-NHS provided equipment for the ANCHOR unit, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary (ARI), Foresterhill, Aberdeen and equipment for research purposes at the University of Aberdeen's Institute of Medical Science, Foresterhill, Aberdeen. Below are some of the many items the charity has funded.
Part funding of High definition Endoscopy Stack for G7 theatre suite, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary £14,366
HD technology offers a vastly superior, state of the art operative image in both diagnostic and therapeutic interventions. 50-70% of gynaecological procedures in G7 gynaecology theatre involve endoscopy and the stack is in use constantly. This new stack part funded by Friends of ANCHOR will replace the current stack which is 9 years old and now delivers a deteriorating image with limited functionality. It will also allow surgeons to capture still images and DVD footage of complex cases for record keeping and educational reasons.
Dr. Stuart Jack & Dr. David Parkin, Consultant Gynae- oncologists, Ward 43, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary
High sensitivity detector for Transgenomic WAVE machine - £13,500
This detector enables detection of low level somatic EGFR mutations in lung tumour DNA. Establishing the EGFR mutation status in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tumours enables patients to be given the most effective treatment. Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer death in the UK and there are approximately 4,000 new patients diagnosed in Scotland every year. Approximately 80% of lung cancers are of non-small cell type (NSCLC).
Dr. Marianne Nicolson & Dr. Keith Kerr
21 Hospira Plum A Pumps (Ward 15) - £25,200
These new pumps have many advantages and benefits to patients. On trial they proved to be very successful with patients, in particular they reduce the time patients spend on the ward as the pumps are more efficent at administrating cyctotoxic chemotherapy. The Graseby pumps previously used in Ward 15 and purchased by Friends of ANCHOR will still be of great use within the ANCHOR unit.
Ward Manager, Andrew Baird Ward 15, ANCHOR unit
Digital thermometers for every patient - £3,973 (2,000 units)
ANCHOR patients having chemotherapy can become neutropenic and are at increased risk of developing an infection, checking temperature is vital as a raised temperature can be an indication of infection. Every new ANCHOR patinet will now recieve a thermometer.
Endrobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) equipment Part funding - £40,000
EBUS is one of the most important diagnostic tools developed in recent years to help accurately assess whether lymph nodes within the chest contain cancerous cells.This equipment can be used to indentify enlarged lymph glands within the chest (by passing an instrument called a bronchoscope directly within the airway) and allows biopsy of them by way of direct visualisation with an ultrasound probe.
"EBUS represents an exciting and innovative tool by which respiratory physicians can more quickly, safely and economically diagnoise and stage (assessment of spread to lymph nodes and other parts of the body) lung cancer. I believe that in order to improve the quality of care of patients with lung cancer in the north-east of Scotland - particularly their diagnosis and staging - EBUS will become an essential tool in the years ahead".
Dr.Graeme Currie, Consultant Chest & General Physician, Chest Clinic C, ARI, Aberdeen.
Head and Neck Endoscopy equipment (including fibreoptic endoscope with videostack to view and capture images) £49,000
"This new equipment enables us to thoroughly view a patient's neck and throat using a tiny video camera where direct line of sight observation is not feasible, will enhance and improve the quality of service we can offer patients in north-east Scotland, Orkney and Shetland".
Mr. Kim Ah-See, Consultant Head and Neck Surgeon and Director of Undergraduate Medical Teaching, ARI, Aberdeen.
Special air-flow mattress £3,695
This high - tec mattress ensures the patient is fully supported on a cushion of air which is particulary good for anyone with back problems or who is bed ridden, and it also helps prevent bed sores. Requested by Sister Mathieson, Ward 17.
12 Pulse Oximeters £3,600
All patients have to have their oxygen saturation levels checked regulary. These machines are a measure of early detection of deterioration in a patient's condition and are used throughout the ANCHOR unit.
2 Paxman scalp cooling machines plus extra cool caps £ 14,160
These machines are used to help prevent hair loss during chemotherapy treatments and are becoming more and more popular with ANCHOR unit patients, hence the reason funding was requested by Sister Ewan, Ward 15, to purchase additional machines and caps.
3 Dynamaps (2 for Ward 15 & 1 for Haematology out patient clinic) £ 6,000 (approx)
Dynamaps are used for the monitoring of patient's pulse and blood pressure. These recordings are done on every patient attending the ANCHOR unit. In certain treatments such as blood transfusion, herceptin and other chemotherapies recordings need to be taken every fifteen minutes. Additional Dynamaps mean less waiting for patients to begin their treatments.
High definition video equipment for laparoscopic (key hole) surgery £30,500
This equipment will be a tremendous help to surgeons when performing intricate operations on patients with intra-abdominal malignancies, particularly colorectal, liver and upper GI cancers, lymphoma affecting the spleen, adrenal and pancreatic tumours.
20 Graseby Infusion Pumps £32,000
Friends of ANCHOR have previously purchased 15 pumps but the demand for more was very high so an additional 20 have been funded.These pumps are used throughout the ANCHOR Unit to infuse all types of fluids for examples; chemotherapy, antibiotics, hydration as well as blood and blood products.
Real-time PCR System (Part funding) £20,000
This system is used to validate molecular biology data generated by cancer related research at the University of Aberdeen, Institute of Medical Science, Foresterhill. This type of technology within the context of cancer research has become an invaluable approach to unravelling this complex condition.
Dash 3000v6 Monitor - £10,181.50
"A Dash 3000v6 Monitor is an expensive yet very worthwhile piece of equipment used to monitor acutely ill patients. It has an extensive range of features and is capable of meeting a wide range of demands including monitoring pulse, blood pressure, temperature and respiration. Normal monitoring equipment is not as accurate as the Dash 3000v6 which has comprehensive monitoring for high acuity care. The monitor will alert staff immediately if there is any change in a patient’s condition and will allow staff to immediately locate patients who are in critical situations. The monitor is lightweight and portable and will be well used throughout the ANCHOR unit."
Senior Sister Gena Andrew, Ward 16, ANCHOR unit
Fibroscan System Part Funding £33,000
A fibroscan system is a non invasive method for measuring scarring of the liver to determine which patients have progressed to the more severe levels of the disease, with cirrhosis being the most serious. Some severe liver diseases are not detectable by clinical examination and the fibroscan system allows to identify patients who have developed fibrosis but not yet cirrhosis and will allow discussion of the need for therapy to prevent progression to cirrhosis. Patients who have cirrhosis are at risk of developing hepatocellular cancer and therefore this will be a method of identifying who should be entered into a screening program for early detection.
15 Graseby 500 Modular Infusion Pump £25,500
"These pumps are used in all areas of the ANCHOR unit to infuse all types of fluids including chemotherapy drugs, antibiotics and blood. The pump, once set by staff, makes sure the fluid is infused/transfused at exactly the correct rate and volume ensuring patient safety and limiting possible drug/transfusion reactions associated with rate of administration."
Senior Sister Gena Andrew, Ward 16, ANCHOR unit
2 Fibreoptic Naso-Laryngoscopes £15,252.26
"Patients attending head and neck cancer clinics at ARI will benefit as this piece of equipment allows a detailed examination of the throat including the larynx, pharynx and viper oesophagus. Previously a full examination had to be done under general anaesthetic. This equipment is highly effective, reduces examination time and also leads to less anxiety and risks in patients."
Mr Kim Ah-See, Consultant, Ward 45, ARI
8 Digital Blood Pressure Monitors £326.80
"Prior to the purchase of the new digital blood pressure monitors, patients in isolation had to share monitors with other patients on the ward. Patients are in isolation because they normally have an infection and staff used to spend valuable time sterilising equipment between patients to prevent cross infection. Now with the purchase of an additional 8 monitors each isolation room has its own one".
Sister Gena Andrew, Senior Sister Ward 16, ANCHOR unit
Research Magnetic Resonance Scanner (part funding) £100,000
"Friends of ANCHOR have once again demonstrated their foresight and generosity in supporting this venture. I know that this scanner will be put to extremely good use in relation to research on malignant diseases"
Professor M. Greaves, Head of School of Medicine, University of Aberdeen
ProSOMA 3D Virtual Simulation System £108, 500
“The virtual simulation software allows reconstruction of the CT scanner data into a 3D image, resulting in better perception of the location of the cancer within the patient, thereby reducing geographical misses in radiotherapy treatments. Identification of the location of surrounding normal tissues is also improved which allows for better normal tissue sparing which in turn reduces the potential side effects of radiotherapy treatment. By combining a state-of-the-art CT scanner along with state-of-the-art virtual simulation software, we hope to maximise chances of cure while minimising risks of toxicity.”
Dr. Graham Macdonald, Consultant in Clinical Oncology
Hydraulic Couch £873
“Having a hydraulic couch will make a great difference to both patients and staff in the breast cancer imaging department. It will allow for the table height to be adjusted for easy transfer of patients, and enable staff to easily adjust the height when performing particular examinations e.g. biopsies. All in all, the hydraulic couch will enable examinations to be performed more safely and efficiently and in a more dignified manner.”
Dr. Heather Deans, Consultant Radiologist
Paxman Cool Cap Machines £20,827
The Paxman Cool Cap Machine is a hair loss prevention system used during chemotherapy treatment which has shown to reduce or prevent otherwise inevitable total hair loss. On average over 70-90% of patients who have used the system have not required a wig. “I feel it is vitally important that we do all we possibly can to help patients through their individual cancer journey. For female patients in particular, losing their hair as a result of their treatment is devastating. They not only have to cope with their diagnosis and prognosis but also with the trauma of losing their hair.”
Sister Gena Andrew, Senior Sister Ward 16, ANCHOR unit
Video Endoscopy System £44,655
Early diagnosis of colorectal (bowel) cancer may mean that cancer is not visible from outside of the bowel at the time of investigative surgery and it is important that the tumour be localised accurately to permit the appropriate surgery. This system allows clearer images allowing work to be completed faster, which will have a positive impact on waiting times. The current equipment is at the end of its useful life and cannot be upgraded, as the technology is now obsolete.
Luminex System £13,850
The Luminex system is currently the most efficient and sensitive system available for HLA typing and antibody detection. Patient samples will be able to be screened for HLA Class I antibodies within 24 hours using the most sensitive technique currently available. This will reduce the time for patients to receive HLA matched platelets by up to 2 weeks. This will allow the Transfusion Centre to be able to respond to the requirements more quickly and effectively.
