Family’s generosity improves patient care, promotes independence

When Health Care Aide Jocelyn Laderoute uses the new blanket warmer or other new equipment on the Trillium Unit at Greater Niagara General Site, she automatically thinks about the patient who became like family after living on the unit for 38 years following a plane crash. “Peter was part of our family on Trillium,” Jocelyn says. “Every time I use the new equipment, whether it be the new patient lifts or shower chairs, I think about Peter and his family. We are so grateful.”

Jocelyn is referring to Peter Griffiths, who was confined to his bed, dependent for all of his care, unable to speak after the plane he was flying crashed almost four decades ago. The staff on Trillium cared for Peter for 38 years, becoming like his family.

“Today, patients and staff of the Complex Continuing Care Unit are benefiting from the generosity of Peter and his father Judge Franklyn Griffiths,” says Mike Somerville, Executive Director of the Greater Niagara General Hospital Foundation. “Through their family donation, the Foundation was able to upgrade existing equipment with a full inventory of modern state-of-the-art equipment. Some of the new equipment was not previously available to patients.”

When Judge Griffiths died in 1991, the bulk of his estate was directed to provide care for Peter as long as he needed it. When Peter died in September 2008, the remainder of the estate was left to the Trillium Unit at Greater Niagara General Site, as stipulated by his father, to provide care for chronically ill patients. So far, approximately $600,000 of the $750,000 estate gift has been used to buy new equipment for Trillium.

“This amount was substantial and was used to purchase much-needed new equipment that promotes patients’ independence and allows the hospital staff to provide care in a more comfortable environment for patients,” says Frank Demizio, Vice President Patient Services at the Greater Niagara General Site. The new equipment includes 41 electric beds and mattresses, 11 patient lifts, a blanket warmer, two shower chairs, 10 commodes and 10 Hollister boots for wound healing.

Benefits from the new equipment are plentiful and significant in terms of improving patient care, independence and safety. The mattresses improve Family’s generosity improves patient care, promotes independence the patients’ comfort, help to prevent pressure ulcers and promote wound healing. The beds can be lowered close to the floor, minimizing the risk of patient falls. The beds also have an alarm, weight scale and floor lighting, all options that promote patient safety. There are now ceiling lifts in every room on the Trillium Unit. Patients are much more comfortable using the ceiling lift, and the ceiling lifts make it easier for transferring patients with heavier care needs. In the past, staff would have to make room changes to accommodate patients who need the lift. Now, with lifts in all the rooms, patients do not need to be moved for this reason.

“Peter and his family have significantly enhanced the quality of care we are providing for our patients,” says Heather Paterson, Clinical Manager of the 56-bed unit. The unit cares for patients with a broad spectrum of needs and includes patients recovering from strokes and congestive heart failure, joint replacements and other surgeries, and patients receiving chemotherapy and endof- life care.

“The ability to provide patient-centred care was the focus of the Foundation and the NHS when deciding how to spend this extraordinary donation,” says Heather. “When we chose the equipment, all of our staff on the unit was involved in the process. This ensured that we were able to receive equipment that would have maximum benefits for the patients.” Among the many grateful patients are Muriel Biggar, whose new electric bed has given her new independence.

“These beds are great,” says Muriel. “The bed goes so low to the ground that I can now do all my care myself, including my socks and shoes. I can also do all the controls myself. I don’t have to ask for help.” Niagara Health and the Foundation organized a celebration on the Trillium Unit for June 25 to recognize Peter and the Griffiths family, and the impact they have had on enhancing patient care in Niagara Falls.

“The Griffiths family has significantly enhanced the quality of care our health-care professionals provide to patients,” says Mike. “We organized this celebration so our hospital community and the community at large would know how important Peter and the Griffiths family are to Trillium.”