CHI - St. Francis

Generosity in Thanks to the support of our community, the CHI St. Francis Health Foundation's Harvest Festival was a terric success. Take a look at recent advancements that were only possible with your support. Action On November 20, community members came together at Bagg Bonanza Farm for our annual Harvest Festival fundraiser. The 2015 festivities featured a meal, a live auction, and a special musical performance. But the real highlight of the evening was the community's kindness—we raised more than $55,000 to update technology in the CHI St. Francis Health Emergency and Acute Care Departments. An Eye on Safety The upgrades that were made possible thanks to monies raised during the Harvest Festival are centered on improving patient safety. Enhancements include: • Carbon dioxide monitors—Capnographs, or carbon dioxide monitors, measure the carbon dioxide levels in a person's breath when he or she exhales. These monitors are used in the operating rooms and Emergency Department. They help determine how well the respiratory system is functioning, which is especially important during surgery when people receive anesthesia. • New light-emitting diode (LED) lighting systems— "The old lighting system used to get very hot during surgery," says Lynnae Wenker, director of the CHI St. Francis Health Foundation. "The new LED lighting system in the Emergency and Acute Care Departments doesn't radiate heat, which is a huge improvement." • Surgical tools—The CHI St. Francis Health Foundation purchased new orthopedic surgery tools for use in repairing hip fracture. "Community member support is a guiding force in acquiring the medical updates and technologies in place at CHI St. Francis Health," Lynnae says. "Our sincerest thanks go out to our community, and we invite our supporters to stop by for a tour so they can see the results of their contributions." To learn more about our Foundation or to make a donation, call 218-643-0410 or visit www.foundationgiftlegacy.org. Get Involved! The CHI St. Francis Health Foundation has several exciting upcoming events planned. This spring we will launch our scholarship program and begin distributing automated external defibrillators (AEDs) to organizations in surrounding rural communities. AEDs help treat sudden cardiac arrest—a deadly condition during which the heart stops beating—by delivering electric shocks to the heart to restore heart rhythm. In May, the CHI St. Francis Foundation will hold our annual Memorial Day Butterfly Ceremony, which gives community members a chance to remember loved ones while supporting the beautification of our campus. Purchase a butterfly lawn ornament to display on our grounds and join us for an evening remembrance ceremony. 3 www.sfcare.org

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