Key ventilation equipment for Péterfy Sándor Utca Hospital

, , ,

The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of the Péterfy Sándor Street Hospital – Outpatient Clinic in Budapest is one of the largest level-2 neonatal intensive care units in the country.

The neonatal wing can deal with anything between 500 and 600 premature babies every year with a maximum capacity to accommodate 20 to 30 babies at any one time.

Since 2014, the Robert Burns International Foundation has been supporting this unit with regular donations of high value to help the doctors and nurses provide a better and safer level of care for the many young patients, greatly facilitating their day-to-day work.

“In recent years, the Foundation’s donations of state-of-the-art incubators, patient monitors, testing equipment and breastfeeding equipment have greatly helped our work”, revealed Dr Gábor Boross, Head of Department.

In 2023, the Robert Burns International Foundation donated more than HUF 5 million to invest in non-invasive respiratory support for newborns and premature infants and the additional equipment needed for operating this equipment (respiratory monitors, humidifiers). The WILAflow Elite is a microprocessor-controlled, non-invasive ventilator for the smallest and most fragile patients with a variety of advanced non-invasive ventilation modes – including apnea wake-up and automatic leak compensation. It uses electronic air/oxygen mixing technology that allows highly accurate adjustment of the required oxygen concentration at the touch of a button and automatically proportions the oxygen and air supply. The intelligent flow sensor and proportional valve allow real-time analysis of the selected ventilation parameters and oxygen concentration. The WILAflow Elite consistently delivers precise O2 concentrations at positive pressure, which improves spontaneous breathing.

The Nellcor bedside SpO2 patient monitoring system incorporates the latest Nellcor digital signal processing technology for accurate, reliable readings even during low perfusion and other forms of signal interference, providing clinicians with access to the most critical information regarding their patients’ respiratory status, giving them the information they need to detect respiratory complications earlier and intervene sooner.

“This equipment will enable us to provide state-of-the-art, safe and effective respiratory support for premature and newborn babies with respiratory distress, treatment that avoids complications wherever possible. On behalf of our patients, my colleagues and myself, we would like to thank the Robert Burns International Foundation for their generous and valuable donation.

Outdoor therapy area in Zalaegerszeg

, , , ,

For many years now as part of our SME Sponsorship Scheme, and in collaboration with FirstMed Centers, the Robert Burns International Foundation has supported the Infant and Paediatric Department at the Szent Rafael Hospital in Zalaegerszeg.

This hospital not only functions as a health-care institution for the 60,000 people who live in this town situated in the south-west of Hungary in Zala county. It is also the main hospital for the surrounding area, and accepts patients from throughout western Hungary, and even from across Hungary’s borders.

In 2023, after consulting with the hospital administration we were asked to help fund a completely new project, an outdoor therapy playground located on the hospital grounds. According to the team of specialists who run the outdoor therapy area:

We can complement the therapy of children coming to us for rehabilitation from all over the country by using outdoor games to enhance their motivation for hard training and to offer them a pleasant experience. The majority of our young patients come to us with neurological issues, and most of them have impaired motor, cognitive, speech, self-motivation functions.

Playing outdoors provides these children with a huge dose of intrinsic motivation. The slide, the dolphin, the bee and the lily are very popular toys. In addition to us being able to offer them therapy in the open air, this equipment can serve important therapeutic purposes for children for whom sitting, standing and walking do not come very easily.

We chose this equipment for children with neurological disorders because they improve balance, coordination and head-torso control, relieve adduction contracture in children with spastic muscles, as well as developing pelvic stability and upper limb movement.

The hospital staff are delighted to be able to achieve these objectives thanks to the support provided by the RBIF to complete the playground, and our thanks in turn goes to everyone who attended the 2023 Burns Supper to help us do so. And our special thanks to Dennis Diokno and his team at FirstMed for continuing to support us in the SME Sponsorship Scheme so we can facilitate big changes at the hospital in Zalaegerszeg every year.

 

Students organise charity drive for Dept. of Paediatrics

, , ,

With our SME Sponsorship Scheme we normally team up with like-minded companies and on occasion individuals to support worthy projects helping children’s healthcare around Hungary. In 2023 though, for the first time we partnered up with a school to help one of the main hospitals in Budapest.

Students in the 11th grade at the BME International Secondary Grammar School wanted to hold a Valentine’s Day Ball, but to make it even more special, they decided to use this opportunity to raise some money for charity at the same time, as part of their commitment to help out in the community.

A lot of work went into preparing the ball, which had never been organised before at the school, and significant effort went into collecting a range of interesting and valuable prizes for the raffle, including cinema vouchers, gift cards, a tour of the TV2 studio in Budapest, and a weekend stay in Balatonfüred for 3 people. The money from the raffle totalled HUF 270,000, an incredible sum for the students to have raised, and this was duly doubled by the Robert Burns International Foundation to HUF 540,000.

Director of the Paediatric Clinic of Semmelweis University, Professor Dr. Attila Szabó, and Dr. Tamás Constantin, representing the Guardians of the Tűzoltó Street Foundation for Patients with Cancer and Leukaemia, were happy to receive the pledged funds, which were used to buy mattress protectors for the various wards in the children’s department.

A spokesperson for the clinic said:

“It makes you wonder what motivates teenagers to do such a noble deed. Family motivation certainly has a lot to do with it, and the school community, where the desire to help others is natural and accepted, can also be a decisive factor. It was a joy and a pleasure to see these young people. We are honoured that they chose us! Thank you!”

 

New equipment and re-decorated children’s department in Mezőtúr

, , ,

In 2023 as part of our SME Sponsorship Scheme we were delighted to team up with a new partner, HFI Kft., and we decided to continue our support of the Children’s Department at the rural hospital in Mezőtúr, in eastern Hungary.

Dr. Ferenc Antal expressed his sincere thanks on behalf of the hospital and clinic, and the children of Mezőtúr, for our repeated support.

We feel very fortunate that the Robert Burns Foundation has supported our department for the third time. We are also delighted that they have once again shown imagination in helping us keep the children’s ward running in this disadvantaged area and have thus contributed to the comfortable and safe operation of the children’s ward.

This year, the medical equipment bought included ambu balloons and inhalers, which are practically used on a daily basis for inhalation therapy of respiratory tract infections, neonatal blood pressure cuffs, essential for performing blood pressure measurements on all four limbs, and an infant pulse oximeter for respiratory disorders.

But the funding from the RBIF and HFI Kft. went even further, because we funded the re-decoration of the entire department.

Dr. Antal explains why:

It’s been about 8 years since we had our department painted, and after all this time, wards for children are worth a little renovation and painting. Not to mention infection control and the prevention of hospital-acquired infections. We were not a Covid care site, but were affected by the outbreak. Most of our patients suffer from viral infections and respiratory illnesses. Our hospital was able to do some repairs on its own, but other investments prevented this work from being carried out.

Let us pass on the thanks from Dr. Antal on behalf of all the children who are treated there, and on behalf of all the staff who struggle daily to ensure that they do not suffer from a lack of care.

Tűzoltó Street Department of Budapest’s Paediatric Clinic, 2023

, ,

What used to be the 2nd Department of Paediatrics in Budapest and is now the Tűzoltó Street Department of Budapest’s Paediatric Clinic looks back on a history of more than 135 years specialising in child health care.

Upon contacting the clinic after the 2023 Burns Supper we soon heard from our medical adviser Professor György Fekete that the most useful piece of equipment we could buy this year was actually connected to a previous donation made by the RBIF.

 “The Nanodrop One spectrophotometer was chosen because it allows for the rapid measurement of the purity and quantity of hereditary material extracted from a blood sample for genetic testing, within moments, to determine whether this hereditary material is suitable for the planned molecular genetic testing, which is typically expensive.” – revealed Dr Erika Tomsits.

“At the same time, it has the advantage that only a small amount (1 µL) of the extracted hereditary material is needed for the measurement and no additional reagents are required.“

The measurement itself is automatically stored in the instrument and can be retrieved at any time, while the instrument is also indispensable for research experiments to perform quality measurements.

The instrument can be used not only to determine the purity and approximate quantity of hereditary material but also of other protein preparations, which greatly extends its range of applications. Currently, it is the state-of-the-art instrument that, through its speed and precision, makes an integral contribution to the performance and success of genetic diagnostic procedures.

This equipment is so vital because the examinations further down the line using these samples are both expensive and time-consuming, and if the quality of the sample is poor, the whole process has to be repeated, taking more time and causing more grief for the patient concerned. Many of these examinations use diagnostic equipment previously donated by the RBIF.

Thanks to the generosity of everyone who attended the 2023 Burns Supper, this factor of uncertainty is removed from the equation, as the doctors immediately know whether the sample taken will be suitable for further diagnosis, which speeds up the entire process.

The hospital in Tűzoltó utca is one of the principal children’s hospitals not just in Budapest but for the whole of Hungary. Children needing special treatment are often transferred here from other hospitals, so it makes sense to help ensure this hospital has the equipment needed to offer the best available support for sick children in Hungary. This assistance is made possible as ever by our Burns Supper sponsors, and in 2023 our main sponsors included @Budapest Airport, @Taxually and @FirstMed.

Jávorszky Ödön Hospital , Vác, 2023

, , ,

The first of our SME Sponsorship Scheme projects to be completed this year took us to the Jávorszky Ödön Hospital in the city of Vác.

In conjunction with Norhot Kft., a business we have partnered with for several years now, in 2023 the Robert Burns Foundation donated 2 smart infusion pumps and a World Game® to the paediatrics department of the hospital and specialist clinic in Vác.

Accompanied by Szilvia Hanson from Norhot Kft. as well as Katy Reid (Deputy Head of the North & Central Europe Department at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office), three members of the Burns Supper Organising Committee visited the hospital on 14 June to see what had been purchased from the donation.

 

The two smart infusion pumps enable the administration of more precise medication, and in the case of severe metabolic disorders (e.g. diabetes, ion disorders), it is very important to have precise and programmable therapy. This is why we are very pleased with these two devices –

said Ila Veronika, chief physician and head of the paediatric department.

The World Game® was developed and standardised in Hungary by Dr. Alaine Polcz (1922-2007), a Hungarian psychologist, author, pioneer in the field of tanatology (research on death and mourning) in Hungary and founder of the Hungarian Hospice Movement. Experience shows that this is the best and most comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic method through play. It creates an experience of play and creative pleasure in the person tested, regardless of their age. The construction process itself, the problems and tensions represented during creation and play all have a therapeutic effect.

The child has to build their own world from miniature figures and components of the world (toy houses, people, animals, trees, plants, etc.). From this result and other aspects monitored during the construction, the health-care professional can get clues as to what internal/external factors are influencing the child’s current state. Using these tools, games can subsequently be developed and integrated into the ongoing therapeutic process.

This simple, important but very useful tool is almost unavailable in public care due to its high cost, which is why we are particularly grateful to now have access to it with the help of the Robert Burns International Foundation –

added Dr. Ila.

 

Csongrád-Csanád County Health Centre, Hódmezővásárhely-Makó, 2022

, , ,

Inter Relocation Kft. has been a long-standing supporter of the RBIF and its projects over the years, and was one of the first companies to take part in our SME Sponsorship Scheme, helping small and medium-sized companies take part in our fundraising and donation activities.

2022 has been no different, and we teamed up again with Stuart McAlister and his team to support the Paediatric Department at the Csongrád-Csanád County Health Centre in Hódmezővásárhely, a focal point of our fundraising efforts in recent years.

Head of Department, Dr Ferenc Papp, intimated that their work could best be helped with the purchase of a Neopuff infant resuscitator, which is an easy-to-use, manual, medical gas-powered device that allows for the resuscitation of newborns under controlled positive pressure conditions. This helps to improve ventilation efficiency while preventing lung damage caused by high airway pressures, particularly an issue in premature babies. The ventilation is usually through a face mask, available in different sizes and can be used once or several times

Dr Papp: we already purchased two of these devices for the neonatal unit of our hospital, one of them in 2019, thanks to a grant from the RBIF. The new device has been installed in the neonatal unit of our department. The unit is located in a separate building, relatively far from the delivery room, and with this upgrade we have enough equipment to provide state-of-the-art neonatal resuscitation in all wards where newborns are treated and cared for (delivery room, neonatal unit, infant unit).

Since 2018, the RBIF has provided significant financial support to the children’s department every year – including the paediatric emergency department in Makó – which, including this year’s support, now totals HUF 5 million. The equipment purchased with this grant will significantly improve the quality and safety of emergency and neonatal care in our department.

 

2nd Department of Paediatrics at Semmelweis University in Tűzoltó utca, 2022

, ,

The Robert Burns International Foundation has been fundraising for children’s hospitals in Hungary since 1998. The very first piece of equipment donated was an operating table, which was gifted to the 2nd Department of Paediatrics at Semmelweis University in Tűzoltó utca. The RBIF has continued this assistance every year since then.

We support other hospitals as well but why have we given continuous annual support to this hospital? The main reason is that the Tűzoltó utca hospital is one of the principal children’s hospitals not just in Budapest but for the whole of Hungary. Children needing special treatment are often transferred here from other hospitals, so it makes sense to help ensure this hospital has the equipment needed to offer the best available support for sick children in Hungary. This assistance is made possible as ever by our Burns Supper sponsors, and in 2022 our main sponsors included @bp, @Taxually and @FirstMed.

In conjunction with our medical adviser Professor György Fekete, former medical director of the 2nd Dept. of Paediatrics, this year we helped the department purchase a vitally important vital signs monitor along with pressure-relieving mattresses.

The Connex Spot Monitor features an easy-to-use, vivid touchscreen display and provides accurate vital signs measurement including blood pressure averaging, spot checking and interval monitoring. The device includes a choice of thermometry and/or pulse oximetry, connectivity and mounting/mobility options, providing up to 17 hours of on-time, alleviating the need to charge the monitor as frequently.

The Alerta Emerald Auto is a fully automatic weight-sensing, pressure-relieving mattress system with 5″ air cells for effective prevention and treatment of patients at high risk of developing pressure ulcers during long-term hospital stays. The pump has the latest cutting-edge auto weight-sensing technology, continuously adjusting interface pressures according to the patient’s weight.

 

This visit to the hospital also gave us the chance to properly thank Professor Fekete for his 25 years of medical advisory support he has given the RBIF. In recognition of his efforts he was declared our “Sponsor of the Year.”

Szent Rafael Hospital in Zalaegerszeg, 2022

, , , ,

For many years now as part of our SME Sponsorship Scheme, and in collaboration with FirstMed Centers, the Robert Burns International Foundation has supported the Infant and Paediatric Department at the Szent Rafael Hospital in Zalaegerszeg.

This hospital not only functions as a health-care institution for the 60,000 people who live in this town situated in the south-west of Hungary in Zala county. It is also the main hospital for the surrounding area, and accepts patients from throughout western Hungary, and even from across Hungary’s borders.

In 2022, after consultation with the team of doctors at the hospital, the decision was made to purchase a Nihon Kohden multi-functional Life Scope bedside monitor. This monitor is able to track and display many crucial parameters of a patient’s health, including the carbon-dioxide content of exhaled air.

What makes this monitor particularly special is that it carries a smaller integrated portable monitor that can be removed when the baby or child needs transporting to other areas of the hospital for treatment. This makes such movements much safer and allows the medical staff to keep them under full observation even when they are outside the ward.

 

Peter Cerny Foundation, 2022

, , , ,

Linking up once again with Norhot Kft. in 2022 as part of the SME Sponsorship Scheme, the Robert Burns International Foundation reached out to the Peter Cerny Foundation, well-known in Budapest for operating a fleet of well-equipped ambulances serving the needs of premature babies. Based in Budapest, this year the owners of Norhot Kft. wanted to support a project in the capital city, after previously helping to fund medical equipment in Székesfehérvár.

Following discussions with the foundation’s coordinator Barnabás Lendvai, the RBIF funded various pieces of equipment to keep the ambulances well stocked. The neonatal nitric oxide dosing and sampling kit will enable the ventilation of newborn babies with very severe respiratory failure. These single-use devices can be used to deliver nitric oxide molecules into a mixture of medical oxygen and compressed air, opening up diseased lung vessels and enabling effective ventilatory support for babies for whom conventional ventilation is ineffective.

The boxes of adhesive plasters and cannula clamps enable the attachment of a wide range of medical equipment (tube, probes, catheters, cannulas), while lancets for blood testing enable nurses to collect blood efficiently for the portable blood gas analyser and blood glucose meter.

The RBIF funded pads to be placed under each premature or sick newborn baby in the incubator, ensuring a clean, safe and comfortable environment. The bionector can be used to administer 3 types of medicine at the same time, while the umbilical catheters are used for umbilical cannulation, allowing for the safe delivery of medicine directly into the main blood stream.

With the Nellcor sensors and cables, the babies’ vital signs can be continuously monitored on the patient monitor, and finally, with the etCO2 cables it is possible to measure exhaled CO2 during ventilation, which provides very important information for doctors.

All of these items are crucially important to make sure that the ambulances are constantly on the road with the right equipment to make sure the doctors and nurses can take action at the right time, and we are delighted to have made a significant contribution in collaboration with Norhot Kft.