News Release

Norton Regional Health Foundation assists with Respiratory Therapy upgrade

September 5, 2019

NORTON, Kan. – In the summer of 2019, the Norton Regional Health Foundation assisted in the purchase of a new Trilogy BiPAP/CPAP ventilation system for the Norton County Hospital Respiratory Therapy department. The total cost of the machine was nearly $12,000, and it was funded by both the hospital and the foundation each contributing half of the cost.

Kayla Broeckelman, cardiopulmonary/respiratory therapy director at Norton County Hospital, said the main objective in getting the new machine was to improve patient safety and quality of care. Patients who come to Norton County Hospital with varying degrees of respiratory distress would benefit from this new machine. It can provide noninvasive breathing assistance or invasive ventilation assistance for those patients who need to be intubated.

“I am very grateful to the hospital and foundation for helping to make the purchase of the Trilogy possible,” Broeckelman said. “This new machine is very versatile, which makes it the perfect piece of equipment to meet the needs of rural health care.”

The foundation has made numerous equipment purchases in the past two years to benefit patients and staff at Norton County Hospital. For example, in early 2018, the foundation purchased a new fetal heart monitor for more than $22,000 that allowed better mobility for laboring mothers. In early 2019, the Foundation purchased a new set of surgical instruments for nearly $11,000 to reduce turnaround time between surgical procedures, as well as a new 800 MHz radio and decontamination supplies for just more than $3,000 to be used in disaster situations. These items were purchased based on an internal application process in which the department supervisors formally requested funds from the foundation.

“I applaud Kayla for identifying ways to improve patient care at Norton County Hospital, and this new machine is already being used to help save lives,” said Katie Allen, Norton Regional Health Foundation executive director. “The foundation is committed to helping the hospital, and we appreciate all of our donors for allowing us to continue funding necessary projects such as this new machine.”

The Norton Regional Health Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to support the enhancement of quality health care for the residents of Norton County and surrounding counties. It was established in 2016, and since then it has worked to fund hospital equipment, developed a scholarship program for nursing students, and collaborated with Live Well Norton to complete community health projects such as the Armory Drive Trail and Norton Kids’ Café. The foundation is currently raising funds to support the purchase of a new CT scanner for the hospital.

Allen said the foundation is grateful to donors for their generous, tax-deductible contributions. These contributions allow for healthier local communities. For more information about the Norton Regional Health Foundation, visit the Foundation tab.

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