Alberta James stumbled upon the latest copy of On Call last January when she was perusing the magazine selection in the UW Veterinary Care waiting room. She had some free time to read while her German Shepherd, Silly, was undergoing tests for a leg injury.
James glanced over the UW School of Veterinary Medicine’s annual wish list, a catalog of items most needed in the hospital, imaging center, and research facilities. A request for a pulse oximeter, a $1,500 non-invasive device that monitors patients’ blood oxygen saturation levels, caught her eye, prompting her to ask for more information.
A pulse oximeter is used to monitor Spur, a 14-year-old Border Collie mix, in the UW Veterinary Care Critical Care Unit. Client Alberta James chose to donate this vital, frequently used piece of equipment to the hospital. (Photo: Nik Hawkins)
A certified veterinary technician gave her a brief demonstration in the waiting room. With a better understanding of how the equipment worked, James felt it was a worthy investment.
“Pulse oximeters are used throughout the hospital on heavily sedated or anesthetized patients,” says Ruthanne Chun, director of UW Veterinary Care. “Because these items are so heavily used, three to five new units are purchased every year as older units break down or wear out.”
That demand is one of the reasons James decided to donate funds for the wish list item.
“I picked out something I could afford and something the hospital could use,” said James. “Every little bit counts. It all helps the animals.”
If you are interested in gifting a pulse oximeter to the hospital or contributing towards another wish list item for the hospital, imaging center, or research facilities, please contact Pat Bowdish at 608-890-1515 or pat.bowdish@supportuw.org.
Jane Pruhs