Harms Memorial Foundation
The Harms Foundation recently received a $4,000 grant from the Laura Moore Cunningham Foundation, Inc. It will be used to purchase a blood gas analyzer for the lab. The Harms Foundation is also contributing $500. The Harms Foundation wants to acknowledge and thank the Laura Moore Cunningham Foundation, Inc. for their generous support.
“The patients who need blood gas analyses are often very sick people. They can’t breathe. Their hearts are in stress. It can be a life-threatening situation,” according to Rock Roy, ARRT and Professional Services Director at Harms Memorial Hospital. These types of symptoms are often caused by blood clots in the lungs, heart attacks, severe asthma, COPD, abnormal levels of pH in the blood, and/or abnormal levels of oxygen in the blood. To prevent these conditions from causing permanent damage, long-term health problems, and in some cases, death, they must be quickly diagnosed and treated.
When patients present with chest pain and shortness of breath, it is difficult to determine whether or not they are having heart attacks, throwing blood clots, or having severe asthma attacks. Since blood clots can kill patients in a very short period of time, it is vital to check their blood gases as soon as possible.
Abnormal levels of pH in the blood stream can also be life-threatening. When pH levels are too high or too low, cellular functioning is disrupted. If left untreated, death can occur. The only way to measure pH levels and thus, avert serious health complications is to test blood gases early in the diagnostic process. Testing also shows if CPR is properly oxygenating the blood or if patients on oxygen are taking in too much air. Excessive intake of oxygen can permanently damage the eyes and lungs.
Finally, blood gas analysis rules out serious health problems. Recently, a family brought their 89 year old mother into the Harms Emergency Room. She was seriously ill so her arterial blood flow was immediately checked. Test results were available in a few moments which gave her family peace of mind. It did not take them long to learn that their mother was not throwing a blood clot or having a heart attack. If the blood gas analyzer had not been working that day, it would have taken a lot more time to diagnose her, because Harms would have sent her to Pocatello.
The Foundation would also like to thank the following employees for participating in the Employee Donation Program. They will make contributions to the Foundation from each of their paychecks. Employees will have an opportunity to sign up again in December.
| Kris Babb |
| Susan Barger |
| Brenda Carpio |
| Linda Cassell |
| Dallas Clinger |
| Shauna Croft |
| Jean Fenwick |
| Susan L Fletcher Lois Greenrod |
| Carol Jeffries |
| Gloria Luna |
| Kim McGraw |
| Kathy McLean |
| Lucia Mendez |
| Danelle Reaves |
| Rock Roy |
| Tom Sutton |
| Jacklyn Taylor |
| Maria Torres |
| Oralia Vargas |
| Fawn Wright Dianna Marvin |
We encourage and welcome members of our community to be involved with the Foundation’s efforts. Please click here to learn more about making a lasting contribution or donation to make a difference with the Harms Memorial Foundation.
We hope to see you at our upcoming Foundation Fall event…
Scarecrow Auction and Chili Cook-off
October 7, 2010 6 to 8pm
William Schroeder Community Building at the Power County Fairgrounds.
Adults $5
Kids under 12 $2
Individuals, families, businesses, and organizations are invited to build and donate a scarecrow or other fall item (ie., quilts, wall hangings, wreaths,and table decorations, etc.) for the auction. Activities will also be available for children. To participate or learn more about this event, please call Susan Barger at 226-3203 ext 136.
Current Foundation Board Members:
Dallas Clinger, Chair
CEO/Administrator of Harms Memorial Hospital District
Loring Roseberg, Vice Chair
Retired Parts Manager
Harriet Newlin, Treasurer
Director of American Falls Public Library
Ann Wheeler, Member
Retired Teacher
Carol Schreiber, Member
Retired from Banking Industry
Debbie Theobald, Member
Office Manager at R & G Potato
Sherri Timmons, Member
Homemaker
Associate Members:
Kris Babb, Nurse Practitioner, Harms Family Clinic
Ashley Hernandez, Office Manager, Harms Family Clinic
Kim McGraw, Medical Reception/Biller
Joan Permann, Clerk/Dispatch R & G Potato
Mission Statement: “The Foundation will cultivate & build supportive & sustaining relationships as an important part of increasing financial support & resources available to meet the needs & initiatives of the Harms Memorial Hospital District. The Foundation will work diligently to foster a philanthropic environment where everyone in the community understands & supports exceptional health care.”