Humac Balance System

87 PIES DONATED AND SOLD at HOSPITAL AUXILIARY

Over $1450 was raised at the Hospital Auxiliary Pie Sale in February as, once again, the community supported and enjoyed this traditional annual event. The Hospital Auxiliary members expressed a deep thank-you to the community for their support. The funds raised will go to purchase equipment for the local hospital, Boundary Community Hospital.

Equipment purchased last year by the Hospital Auxiliary for Boundary Community Hospital included new furniture for the emergency room lobby, a laminator for office use, two fish tank filters for the fish tank in the Outpatient Clinic, and a Humac Balance System.

The Humac Balance System is a fun way to do serious work in the Rehabilitation Department. The rehabilitation patient is seemingly playing games as he maneuvers the skiing figure on the screen over bumps and through gates in a downhill rush over hard-packed snow. Soon the patient merges with the online figure and begins veering from side to side, now and then barely escaping a crash into the plastic fence lining the snow-covered downhill course, as he picks up speed racing for the finish line.

All the while, the system is assessing balance and producing objective measurements by tracking the needed information that determines the patient’s level of functional limitation. Measurements can be made of the amount of weight a patient puts on their partial weight-bearing leg for those recovering from fractures and some types of hip replacements.

The balance system also has a concussion protocol for testing the baseline and post-injury assessment after a head injury. It is also measuring limits of stability and the center of pressure.

Patients that benefit from this fun, high-tech equipment are patients with knee and hip injuries or surgery; back and neck problems; neurological disorders including Parkinson’s disease and stroke; and post-cancer treatments. Patients with vertigo or other balance disorders, and the elderly with increased fall risk also benefit from the games on the balance system.

Being able to obtain objective data when assessing balance deficits is a great gift to the community.

“It was a pleasure to see the reaction of the Hospital Auxiliary members when they made a visit to the Rehabilitation Department at the hospital to see this remarkable piece of equipment they purchased, “ says hospital spokesperson Marcia Morman. “Their eyes were sparkling when they witnessed first-hand the benefit of their hard work and contribution to the community. Petra Timmermans, head of the Rehabilitation Department, did a good job of demonstrating the equipment by having several of the members take a turn on the balance system trying out one of the interactive games.”

Arm Bicycle

Arm BicycleCome and ride the bicycle—the arm bicycle that is.

Much like the bicycle you grew up with powered by legs, the arm bicycle spins by placing your hands on the pedals and pushing forward and downward. Fortunately, the pedals are located high on the bike in a comfortable position. It’s a great upper body aerobic work and exercise for the arms.

But, who needs to exercise their arms? As it turns out, quite a few people do.

Petra Timmermans, head of the Rehabilitation Department at Boundary Community Hospital, says that all shoulder patients, all neck patients, all cardiac patients and about 50% of patients with neurological disorders such as Parkinsons and stroke benefit from the arm bike. It provides an upper extremity work-out as well as strengthens and helps increase the range of motion of the arms.
Idaho Community Foundation and the Kissler Family Foundation Philanthropic Gift Fund provided funds in the amount of $1,090.00 for the purchase of a new arm bicycle for Boundary Community Hospital.

The new arm bike gives feedback of measurable data: it displays time, pedal revolutions per minute, calories, distance and the patients’ pulse.

The bike is a boon for wheelchair patients. It is adjustable in height allowing for the proper fitting of wheelchairs in the riding space.
No wonder it is a popular piece of equipment in the rehabilitation department. Physical therapy and occupational therapy both use it. The arm bike, along with the treadmill, the stationary bike, and the Nu-Step, makes the top-four list of the hospital’s pieces of most used equipment.

Fry Healthcare Foundation Purchases Infusion Chair

chairThe Infusion chair was chosen as the Fund-an-Item this year because it will add a great deal of comfort for patients requiring an infusion. Instead of lying in a hospital bed for extended periods of time as the infusion takes place, a patient can comfortably sit-up during the entire procedure.

Listen for the Fund-an-Item time to be announced in the middle of the Live Auction. This is a chance for everyone to participate with a contribution towards the purchase of the Infusion Chair. Levels of giving start at around $1500 and then go down to $25.00. When the number is called that is affordable to you, then raise your bid number which is on the back of the program. When checking out, your amount will be included on your check-out ticket.

The Infusion Chair has many advantages to both the patient and the medical staff.

It rises about eight inches with the touch of one button on the hand control significantly reducing staff occupational injury while tending to patients or performing procedures. The lower position provides easy access for wheelchair patients and transfers.

The hand control for patient positioning allows care givers to safely recline and raise patients without strain. It reduces staff assistance and increases efficiency by allowing patients to easily select positions most comfortable for them.

The foam in the chair is polyurethane-based and is called viscoelastic foam. It molds itself to the shape of the body providing additional comfort for patients having to sit for long periods.

The chair also comes complete with attaching head pillow and IV Pole. The detachable footrest and headrest can be adjusted according to the height of each patient. The arms move with the backrest staying parallel with the ground for optimal positioning.

The up/down movement of the chair uses a special bearing system that does not cause any position change.

The back of the chair is equipped with grips for easy positioning and a central brake allows for stabilizing the chair and locking all four casters.

This Fund-an-Item choice will be a good addition to our hospital.

Breast Cancer Awareness, Early Detection Day

Mayor’s Proclamation
Recognizing October 23, 2014
As Breast Cancer Awareness, Early Detection Day

Mayoral Proclamation Group

Whereas, the sad fact is that one out of eight women will have breast cancer in their lifetime; and

Whereas, early detection of breast cancer is one of the major factors in defeating cancer; and

Whereas, when breast cancer is detected early there is a marked increase in the chance of treating it successfully; and

Whereas, mammograms can sometimes detect a cancer two years earlier than physical exams; and

Whereas, we encourage women in our community to have this extremely important test performed;

Now, therefore, in recognition of breast cancer awareness, I, David K. Anderson, Mayor of Bonners Ferry, Idaho, do hereby proclaim October 23, 2014 to be “Breast Cancer Awareness, Early Detection Day” in Bonners Ferry and urge all citizens to show support.