Report of the President of the Auxiliary Auxiliary committed to raise one million dollars as their share of the Building Fund. These monies were directed to the purchase of equipment for the Intensive Care Unit. We take pride in knowing that a portion of that fund has already been put to use when the Central Monitoring System was purchased. This system will be transferred to the new unit. Twice in one decade? During the fundraising campaign of 1985, the With so many recent advances in technology, it is imperative that our Hospital be furnished with modern equipment so that we may take advantage of the developments in diagnostic, medical and surgical techniques. At our Annual Meeting last month, the Auxiliary presented the Hospital with a cheque for $150,000. This represents the second installment toward a colour doppler and printer for the Diagnostic Imaging Department. The Auxiliary also voted to put future monies over a five year This goal represents the challenge which our more than 700 volunteers, men and women, face with pride. It continues in the tradition of the Auxiliary to assist the Hospital through the purchase of sophisticated, modern equipment. The dedicated volunteers of the Auxiliary provided more than 61,000 hours of service to Oakvilleâ€"Trafalgar Memorial Hospital this past year. That is the equivalent of 32 fullâ€"time staff. The organization is indeed busy as we continue to offer nearly 40 different services devoted to enhancing patient care and fundraising. period toward the purchase of a remote interventional xâ€"ray machine. At a cost of $750,000, the interventional xâ€"ray machine is truly at the leading edge of technology. The combined cost of these two pieces of equipment will total one million dollars. When this commitment is complete, the Auxiliary will have achieved the remarkable accomplishment of raising one million dollars twice in one decade. Danica Prusic, Senior Diagnostic Sonographer, proudly displays the Colour Doppler ultrasound machine. _AUX!!.IAHY EXECUTIVE . service over this past year. In addition to the 33 students who provided care and assistance after school and on weekends, the summer contingent of 71 student volunteers enabled many of the adult Auxilians a well earned summer vacation. This year, we presented Auxiliary Memorial Bursaries to Barbara Lis and Matthew Lee. Last year‘s recipient, Christine Fernandes, was honoured in October, when she received an additional bursary from the Hospital Auxiliaries Association of Ontario at their convention. This was the second successive year in which one of our bursary winners was recognized at the provincial level. The construction and redevelopment of the hospital is nearing the completion of Phase I. Our new, enlarged Gift Shop is included in the phase, and we anticipate its opening. Many of our services have been dislocated with the construction, but, like the staff, we look forward to the final result â€" an attractive, convenient, "high tech" facility, far outweighing the current disruptions. During my first year as Auxiliary President I have been greatly impressed by the devoted and caring attitude of the volunteers. They work both on and off site, some in highly visible areas and others in remote departments. The excellent rapport we enjoy with staff is, I feel certain, unexcelled in any hospital. Volunteerism is alive and well at O.T.M.H. equipment. The new colour flow doppler ultrasound machine replaces old invasive procedures in vascular work and detecting diseases at an early stage. The colour doppler was purchased with $350,000 in donated funds raised by the Auxiliary. "The colour doppler provides superior quality imaging and has already made major strides in some areas of diagnostic ultrasound," said Dennis Baranoski, Director of Diagnostic Imaging. One of the most dramatic changes in procedures has been in the detection of deep vein clots or thrombosis. Prior to the colour doppler, a patient would have to undergo a venogram â€"â€" a far more complicated procedure than an ultrasound with a certain amount of associated risk. Traditionally, a patient would receive an injection of : contrast material through a small vein in the foot, several xâ€"ray mages were then taken of the leg. While the procedure itself is somewhat discomforting, there was also the risk of the patient experiencing a possible allergic reaction to the injected material. Severe reactions include anaphylactic shock and the risk of developing phlebitis. Senior Diagnostic Sonographer, Danica Prusic, spends most of her time operating the colour doppler and can‘t speak highly enough of the machine and the generosity of the Auxiliary. "While there are obvious benefits to the Hospital, it is the patient who really benefits from the acquisition of this technology," she said. While performing a colour doppler of the leg, a small amount of gel is applied and the examination is completed within 15 minutes...no needles, no contrast material or reactions. The benefits to the patient are obvious, the Hospital also saves money by the elimination of contrast (approximately $100 per examination), needles and films for these procedures. The addition of this equipment expands the scope of OTMH‘s diagnostic abilities. Some of the advantages include: Q performing prostate examinations for earlier detection of cancer Q completion of exams that were formerly done on the CAT Scan, with equal results. This saves CAT Scan operation time. Q detection of smaller breast lesions and the ability to differentiate between cystic and solid masses ‘hanks to the generosity of the Auxiliary to the Oakvilleâ€" Trafalgar Memorial Hospital (OTMH), the Diagnostic Imaging Department is now equipped with stateâ€"ofâ€"theâ€"art ultrasound