The care that happens within the walls of Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital (PECMH) changes lives.

Patients are cared for at our hospital approximately 40,000 times per year. Our health care professionals treat almost 20,000 patients in the Emergency Department alone. Close to 850 people are admitted annually for inpatient care, many for acute medical situations like pneumonia, heart attacks, and urinary tract infections.

The medical equipment used to diagnose and treat these patients is expensive and has a short lifespan of 5 - 10 years. The government does not help to pay for medical equipment, which is why support from donors is so important.

If the Care Champions working in our hospital didn’t have access to leading edge medical devices, patients would have to travel to other facilities to receive care.

The Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation (PECMHF) is raising over $1 million to help pay for the equipment that is needed for 2022/23. Some of the items we are fundraising for includes:

X-Ray Machine - $595,000. This diagnostic imaging equipment will be used on thousands of patients every year at PECMH. X-Rays are used to generate images of tissues and structures inside the body.

Pochi Blood Analyzer- $22,416. The Pochi is a complete blood count analyzer providing quick results to help aid in the diagnosis of infections and aid in timely decisions for treatment.

Centrella Smart Bed- $11,896 each. These beds are fully adjustable with electronic controls. They make it easier for the patient to get into or out of the bed, reducing the risk of a fall or further injury, and also aid in the healing process. These beds also minimize the risk of injury to the caregivers.

Scope Buddy Flushing Pump - $6,613. Not only does this piece of equipment have a cute name, this flushing pump performs a critical part of the cleaning of endoscopes. Flushing scopes is an essential step in ensuring the scopes are cleaned properly and safe for patient use.

Veriscan - $23,873. This is a leak detection system that identifies endoscope leaks with high accuracy.

Borescope - $18,829. A borescope is used to view the internal workings of a surgical instrument (cystoscope, colonoscope, gastroscope) for cleanliness. This can assist in repairs and ensuring the highest level of cleanliness for patients.

Bariatric stretchers - $13,167 for two stretchers. Specialized equipment such as bariatric stretchers support safe patient handling and reduces risk of staff injury. These stretchers are used for patients who are heavier and wider than the average person.

Omnicell Equipment Replacement across Quinte Health - $400,615. Omnicells are automated dispensing systems in which this device safely dispenses medications and fills prescriptions. Omnicells help nurses dispense controlled medications quickly and accurately and create a smarter and safer process for getting the right medication to the right patient.

Endoscopy Equipment – $451,645. PECMH is the low risk endoscopy centre for Quinte Health. On average, over 3,000 individuals travel to Picton from across southeastern Ontario each year for cancer screening and scope procedures.

The Omnicell and Endoscopy Equipment are being funded through a generous bequest that was received by the foundation. We are also grateful to the Rotary Club of Wellington who are funding an echocardiogram machine off this year’s list, to the PECMH Auxiliary who has earmarked two pieces of equipment for the Festival of Trees, and will be supporting additional pieces from the list. The Royal Canadian Legion has also contributed a grant towards the purchase of the smart beds.

By investing in medical equipment needs at our hospital, you’re ensuring our County hospital has the tools and devices it needs to take care of our residents, our visitors, our family, and friends.

The hospital foundation is grateful to the multitude of donors, volunteers, and community members who tirelessly support us in our mission to advance health care for the patients of the hospital and the people of Prince Edward County. You are partnering with us to guarantee the future of healthcare in our community remains bright!

For information about our hospital, or to make a donation call 613-476-1008 ext. 4502, or visit the Foundation’s website at www.pecmhf.ca.