North Manchester General Hospital - Agilent Monitor

UPDATE: This equipment was delivered in 2007.

The Philips monitor is a single unit which measures heart rate,oxygen levels, respiration, temperature and blood pressure. It is designed for use with babies born prematurely or with severe health problems, and allows staff to effectively monitor the health of babies with the minimum of intrusion.

The special care baby unit at North Manchester General Hospital treats up to 16 babies at any time, with two intensive care beds. At present four different pieces of equipment are used to provide the same information this new monitor would display. The incubators are not designed to accommodate all of these machines, and there are severe problems with storage and space within a small ward.

The current equipment is becoming obsolete, and does not allow staff to take invasive blood pressure readings. As a result very sick babies are often transferred to St Mary’s or other regional centres, where this piece of equipment is already in use.

To replace the different machines with one comprehensive unit with a clear display screen would free up staff time and thereby improvethe levels of care offered to very sick babies. This would provide significant health benefits to the pre-term baby, bringing the standard of care up to that offered in the regional centres of excellence.

Each unit will cost £9,760.00. We are now fundraising for one of the monitors, and have already raised £3,000.00 towards the costs.All ongoing staffing, maintenance and training will be provided by North Manchester General Hospital.