MELBOURNE, Fla. – (Sept. 9, 2005) – The Visiting Nurse Association Space Coast was awarded a $1,300 Community Foundation of Brevard grant to purchase wound treatment and management equipment.
Digital photography equipment was allotted as part of the grant and will help nurses document patient wounds and provide updates to each patient’s primary care physician. This technology will result in more accurate treatment options as well as reduce the number of doctor visits required by wound care patients. A pulse oximeter also purchased under the grant, will help nurses non-invasively monitor a patient’s oxygen levels – a necessary tool for patients with cardiac, pulmonary and other respiratory diseases. Approximately 50 percent of VNA Space Coast patients are treated with such illnesses.
“Thanks to the Community Foundation, we were able to purchase this much-needed equipment, which should reduce doctor visits and costs to patients. It will also help improve outcomes for our wound care and respiratory patients without having to take away from our community charity funds that allow us to provide care for patients with limited financial resources,” said VNA Space Coast Program Director Linda Shelby, RN, BSN.
This is the third Community Foundation grant awarded to the VNA Space Coast. The previous grants were also used for technological advances in equipment. One such purchase was a mini laptop computer, which allowed nurses to access the most current patient information while in their home.
This year’s grant will assist the VNA Space Coast’s specialized team of nurses for wound care treatment and management headed by a certified wound care specialist. The team is essential to treating patients with surgical wounds, chronic wounds and wounds related to diabetes or cardiac disease.
VNA Space Coast opened its doors in 2000 providing home health care to residents of central and south Brevard County. Under the direction of parent company, VNA of the Treasure Coast – the first and only non-profit home health care agency in Indian River County, VNA Space Coast raises funds in the community with the goal of providing services to all patients in need, even those who lack financial resources. For more information about VNA programs or services, call 752-7550 or go online to www.vnatc.com.
