UNC Health Appalachian donates life-saving equipment to local rescue squads
At UNC Health Appalachian, our commitment to the health and well-being of our community goes beyond the walls of our hospitals and medical practices. That’s why we’re excited to share that we’ve donated six of our old video laryngoscopes – totaling $40,000 – to two local, not-for-profit, volunteer-based rescue squads: Watauga County Rescue Squad and Linville-Central Rescue Squad.
These life-saving devices will enhance emergency services throughout the High Country and help our local rescue squads deliver even better care when it matters most.
What is a video laryngoscope?
You might be wondering: what exactly is a video laryngoscope? It’s a tool used by emergency responders to help open a patient’s airway if they’re struggling to breathe. With this equipment, paramedics and rescue teams can safely insert an endotracheal tube (breathing tube) while getting a clear view of the airway on a screen. This is important in emergencies, such as trauma or cardiac arrest, where time is of the essence and clear visibility can make all the difference.
David Byrd, BSN, RN, volunteer paramedic for Watauga County Rescue and Nurse Educator at UNC Health Appalachian says, “By receiving these donated video laryngoscopes, these rescue squads now have technology that would have otherwise taken grant funding and years of saving to obtain.”
Looking ahead
As UNC Health Appalachian continues to grow and evolve, we are excited to share that we have also upgraded our video laryngoscopes at Watauga Medical Center and
Cannon Memorial Hospital with higher-definition capabilities. This ensures that we, too, are operating with the latest technology, providing our patients and community with the highest quality of care.
“Our anesthesiology team at Watauga Medical Center is always looking for ways to promote the skills and equipment available to those out in the field and on the front lines,” says Angela Baldwin, Chief Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) at UNC Health Appalachian. “We’ve had the opportunity to educate and mentor our local paramedics in airway skills during their education and now we are going to be able to promote their airway successes in the field by donating this equipment. It is honestly a gift to us to get to give to the community in this fashion."
The donation to Watauga County Rescue Squad and Linville-Central Rescue Squad is just one example of our organizational value, “One Great Team.” We truly believe in the idea of healthcare as a partnership and that we are far better together than we are apart. We care about our patients, and we care about the people who care for them – whether they’re in our hospital or out in the community, responding to emergencies. When our first responders have the right tools for the job, it means better care for everyone, and we’re proud to support and stand by them.
