With £12,800 from the University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire NHS Trust Charity’s COVID-19 fund, the Children’s Emergency Department has their own Blood Gas Analyser for the first time.
“Having a Blood Gas Analyser in Children’s Emergency will save time and provide better patient experience and care as well as allowing us to operate a more efficient service. We are all so excited to have our own!” – Sharon Williams, Children’s Emergency Department Unit Manager, UHCW
The Children’s Emergency Department takes up to 15 samples a day. Before having their own machine, staff had to use nearby ones on the Children’s Ward or Neonatal Unit. Each sample could take up to 30 minutes to process, adding up to 7.5 hours a day. This means staff had to spend extra time away from their patients and increased the wait for the results.
Blood gas samples are taken from an artery in the wrist, which can be painful. Due to the amount of time it used to take to access a machine, the blood sample would often clot – much like the way it does when you have a cut or graze on your skin. Clotted samples can affect the accuracy of the results or block the machine. It means that multiple samples were sometimes needed from a baby, a child or young person, adding to the stress of being in hospital. With their own machine, staff at the Children’s Emergency Department can provide a better service for their patients and their families.
Thanks to your support, UHCW Charity can continue to provide funding for world-leading equipment that makes things better for our staff, our patients and their families. Donate here
