The 24th Annual Light up a Life Campaign Begins

• November 07, 2017
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NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY – Today marks the kickoff to celebrate the 24th anniversary of the Light up a Life fundraising campaign in support of the Northumberland Hills Hospital (NHH) Foundation.

This year, the campaign will fund Automated Dispensing Units (ADU’s) to be placed throughout the hospital.

The use of ADUs in hospitals has been increasingly prevalent.  An ADU is a computerized drug storage device or cabinet which electronically dispenses medications in a controlled fashion while also tracking medication use and inventory.  This technology has been proven to improve patient safety and efficiency throughout the medication dispensing process.  ADUs help eliminate the human error surrounding inventory maintenance thereby dramatically increasing patient safety while allowing more time for pharmacists and nurses to provide direct patient care.

Over the course of the next four years, an investment of $1 million will be made to ensure this vital and necessary equipment is readily available throughout all areas of the hospital. 

Serving as the Chair of this year’s campaign is Dr. Allison Collins – Chair of the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee at Northumberland Hills Hospital.

“While several goals can be met by having ADUs at the point of care, the most important feature is the improved patient safety features. ADUs ensure the right medication is dispensed in the right dose, for the right patient, at the right time,” Dr. Collins states.

“NHH first introduced this medication system fourteen years ago when we moved into our present hospital site.  Since that time, technology has advanced significantly and newer features have been introduced.  Our technology has reached its end of life and soon will no longer be supported, so it is imperative we upgrade our system.”

Since the campaigns inception, almost $2.4 million has been raised.

Those interested in learning more about the Light up a Life Campaign are invited to visit the Foundation website, at www.nhhfoundation.ca.