Augusta Health Emergency Department purchases handheld ultrasound device through grant

Through a grant provided by the Augusta Health Foundation, physicians and staff in Augusta Health’s Emergency Department are able to diagnose certain conditions quickly and without radiation with a Hand-Held Ultrasound device.

“We believe that, in time, the hand-held Ultrasound Device will become the new stethoscope for physicians,” said Adam Rochman, MD, Medical Director of Augusta Health’s Emergency Department.  “It is fairly easy to use and provides us with high-quality images without radiation exposure to patients.  This allows for a more rapid diagnosis.”

The ED staff expects the most common use for the device will be to evaluate trauma patients at the bedside for life-threatening bleeding.  Other uses will be for evaluation of pregnancy, evaluation of the gallbladder for cholecystitis, diagnoses of kidney stones and deep vein thrombosis and limited echocardiograms of the heart.

Each year, the Augusta Health Foundation Grants Committee funds innovative projects at Augusta Health that have a positive impact on healthcare delivery in the community by improving the patient care experience, improving the quality of care provided or decrease the cost of care.  Projects must also have the potential for long-term sustainability and cost $20,000 or less.  In 2018, The Augusta Health Foundation awarded more than $54,000 in grants to projects such as the Hand-Held Ultrasound Device.

The mission of the Augusta Health Foundation is to inspire community ownership through charitable giving to advance health and wellness in our region. The Foundation is the charitable arm of Augusta Health and supports essential patient care programs and services at Augusta Health, including Augusta Health Hospice of the Shenandoah.  For more information about Augusta Health Foundation, please visit the website, www.augustahealth.com/foundation.

Augusta Health is an independent, community-owned, not-for-profit hospital whose mission is to promote the health and well-being of the community through access to excellent care.  Named one of the 100 Top Hospitals in America by Thomson Reuters in both 2011 and 2012, Augusta Health has also been nationally recognized by Healthgrades as one of America’s 50 Best Hospitals for clinical excellence and patient safety for four consecutive years.  For more information about Augusta Health, its programs or its services, please visit the website, www.augustahealth.com.