by Karl Sisson & Susan Justham
Office of Development, The Heritage Group

June 2007 - Recently, the Board of Directors for The Heritage Group adopted updated Mission and Vision statements for our non-profit organization.  They read as follows:

Mission Statement: To serve others through Christ-centered ministries which promote hope, dignity, and purposeful living.

Vision Statement: As a Christ-centered organization, The Heritage Group will be a trusted leader in human service ministries.

A Commitment to Dignity

Dignity is a human quality all people treasure.  At times, this quality can be infringed upon, especially when someone is no longer able to care for him or herself.  Employees of The Heritage Group are continually faced with the need to care for individuals who are no longer able to care for themselves.  Attempts to maintain one’s privacy and modesty are always made, and additional measures to improve the provision of care are constantly sought.
 
A significant way to preserve one’s dignity is to reduce the number of invasive procedures.  As individuals age the need for urology testing also increases.  Traditionally, testing of this nature requires an uncomfortable and impersonal catheterization procedure.  Catheterization is often described as a “traumatic event” because of its painful and undesirable factors.  The Heritage Group’s three Rehab & Skilled Nursing facilities are no exception.

In addition to pain, catheterization in skilled nursing care environments is typically more serious.  Residents usually have weakened immune systems due to illness and physical limitations.  Because it is an invasive procedure, catheterization typically causes urinary tract infections.  While sterile procedures are always used, the introduction of a foreign object into the body greatly increases the likelihood that bacteria will germinate and spread.  As a result, residents not only have to endure the catheterization procedure, but also the recovery period due to a urinary tract infection. 
 
In order to significantly reduce the number of catheterizations performed, the purchase of incredible high-tech equipment, called bladder scanners, was needed.  Unfortunately, The Heritage Group did not have the financial means to purchase them.  After several failed grant requests, near the end of 2006, the organization received a one-time financial boost from New York State through a successful appeal.  When considering how this money should be used, the purchase of a bladder scanner for each of The Heritage Group’s Rehab & Skilled Nursing facilities - Heritage Park (Jamestown), Heritage Green (Greenhurst), and Heritage Village (Gerry) – was strongly considered.  David Smeltzer, Executive Director, explains “When we weighed all of the benefits versus the up-front costs, it really made the bladder scanner purchases an easy decision.  Our residents’ dignity and safety is paramount.”

A bladder scanner allows its user to view the bladder and its contents through sonogram technology.  This process is completely non-invasive and only requires the use of a jelly-like transmission fluid.  While a catheterization procedure takes 15 to 20 minutes to perform, the bladder scanner only takes 1 to 2 minutes to gather the same information.  The benefits to this technology are innumerable, both in its ease of use and its preservation of the resident’s dignity.  In addition to the loss of pain, the bladder scanner saves its users from contracting urinary tract infections.

Bladder Scanner Benefits Recognized Quickly

While this technology has only been available for a short time, the bladder scanner has already made significant improvements in the quality of care provided to residents.  Employees and residents have recognized the many benefits of the bladder scanners.  David Linder, a Registered Nurse and Unit Manager at Heritage Village, states, “The bladder scanner is a wonderful addition to Heritage Village.  The process is much more accommodating than the traditional catheterization procedure.  The scanner is mobile and wheels right into the resident’s room.  This preserves the resident’s privacy as the procedure is performed.”

One of the residents at Heritage Village who has personally benefited from the bladder scanner explains, “The best thing to me about the bladder scanner is there is no pain.  I have urology problems and have had the catheterization procedure before.  Believe me, it hurts!  The bladder scanner was rolled right in my room and the scan was over in no time.  I definitely prefer it. Besides, it allows more time for coffee and time on the computer!”

Other residents agree.  “It’s medically easier,” said a 12-year resident of Heritage Village.  “After having been catheterized for over a year, the use of a bladder scanner has made an ‘uncomfortable’ procedure comfortable.” 

LouAnn LeBarron, Director of Nursing at Heritage Village, states, “Caring for individuals with bladder infections is a time-intensive process.  It involves constant supervision and attention. In monetary terms, the cost of caring for an individual with a urinary tract infection is nearly $2,000.00.  Essentially, the bladder scanner has saved us, and taxpayers, a great deal of money in unnecessary treatment costs.  More importantly, this technology meets a basic need for all human beings - the preservation of dignity.”