The next project the Naeve Health Care Foundation wants to tackle is to help replace all the call light systems in the hospital at Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea.

Its main fundraiser is coming up in September when it hosts a gala at Wedgewood Cove Golf Club. Gala committee member and nursing manager at the hospital, Joy Shaft, said the fundraiser is going toward a worthy cause.

“Our goal is to be proactive,” Shaft said.

The hospital’s current system, made by Executone, is more than 15 years old. It allows patients in any hospital room to call a nurse for general needs or problems or for emergency help. While it’s still functioning, it’s becoming outdated.

“There’s nothing wrong with our system,” Shaft said. “Due to its age, it’s becoming more difficult to get replacement parts.”

The new system the hospital hopes to buy is about $650,000 and is made by Responder 5. Shaft said that manufacturer’s product has many features that will be useful to patients and hospital staff.

“It’s an easy-to-use, portable system,” Shaft said.

With the hospital’s current Executone system, patients use a device on their bed as a remote control for the TV, to operate lights and to call nurses for an emergency or to call a nurse for a non-emergent problem. When they call, a light illuminates right outside their room and an Executone machine at the nurses station alerts the staff that a patient needs help.

Shaft said the new Responder 5 system would connect to cell phones that nurses already check out and keep with them on each shift. For patients it will be similar to the old system for how to call a nurse, but for nurses and staff it will be much more useful. Staff could go to a supply closet or be in another patient room and be notified of any calls, instead of having one person at the main desk waiting for calls. It also has other features like keeping track of each time a nurse visits a patient’s room.

“And we could set it to remind staff to reassess after administering pain medication,” Shaft said. “We can set it up to do a variety of different things.”

The call system will likely be replaced in the next year. Shaft said Mayo Clinic looks at the age of all its equipment with an effort to update items sooner rather than later.

“We’ve had this on our radar for several years,” Shaft said.

Because of the project’s size and how it will affect the entire hospital, Naeve Health Care Foundation members thought it would be a good one to support for its annual fundraising efforts. The foundation has previously helped purchase an ambulance, cardiac and mammography equipment and updated the hospital’s dining area.

“The foundation’s always looking for an opportunity for their resources to be spent on that affects every area of the hospital,” Shaft said.

The foundation plans to give $200,000 toward the $650,000 goal. Mayo Clinic and community donations will make up the rest of the total. Its upcoming gala event is one of the foundation’s main fundraisers. The event will also celebrate the 50th anniversary of the foundation.

The gala will begin at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 21 at Wedgewood Cove Golf Club. In previous years there has been a dinner, but this year there will be hors d’oeuvres and an open bar all night. Modd Squad, a band from the Twin Cities, will provide entertainment. Tickets are $100 per person, and the public is welcome to attend. Cocktail attire is requested. All proceeds go to helping buy the new call light system.

“It’s such a fun event for our community,” Shaft said.

 

 

If you go

What: Naeve Health Care Foundation gala

When: starts at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 21

Where: Wedgewood Cove Golf Club

How much: $100 per person; call the foundation’s office at 377-6380 for tickets or for more information