Foundation Raising Funds for New BiPAP Ventilator

The Wyandot Memorial Hospital Foundation is raising funds to help the hospital purchase a new Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure – also known as BiPAP – ventilator for the Respiratory Department.

Denise Orwick, director of Respiratory, EEG & Sleep Services, explained BiPAP’s positive pressure aids in opening the lungs while breathing in and out. The bilevel aspect of the machine provides a higher air pressure when breathing in, which is a key feature essential for some medical problems. BiPAP is also less invasive than a ventilator requiring intubation, where an artificial airway is inserted into the patient’s lungs.

“Avoiding intubation if possible and using BiPAP is much more comfortable for a patient,” Orwick noted.

Wyandot Memorial Hospital Foundation Chairman Andy Loose (from left) and Denise Orwick, director of Respiratory, EEG & Sleep Services at WMH, welcome donations to fund a new BiPAP ventilator for the hospital.

The Respiratory Department at WMH has experienced an increase in patients hospitalized with breathing difficulties during the pandemic.

“We expect the need for BiPAP to grow with some patients now reporting long-term breathing issues after having COVID-19,” Orwick added.

The department has two older BiPAP units available for patient care, but one of those is no longer supported for repairs and parts are unavailable. The new model under consideration provides the latest technology and automatically adapts to a patient’s changing breathing patterns.

“We are very proud of our respiratory therapists for their dedication to their patients and the hospital,” Foundation Chairman Andy Loose emphasized. “They have been called upon again and again, and we are grateful for their commitment to the hospital’s mission and their profession.”

To better equip their department, the community is invited to give to the WMH Foundation’s Annual Campaign. The WMH Foundation is a Section 501(c)3 nonprofit and contributions may qualify as a charitable deduction for federal income tax purposes. The annual campaign donors are recognized in the newspaper and the hospital newsletter mailed to every household in the county.

“This is a great opportunity to demonstrate our support of our local hospital,” Loose said. “Gifts of any amount are appreciated, and even small gifts add up when combined with donations from others.”

Donations may be mailed to the public relations office at the hospital or made online on the Foundation page at the hospital’s website. For more details, phone 419-294-4991, extension 2268, or email jboden@wyandotmemorial.org.