The Saint-Donat Family Medicine Group (FMG) recently received new equipment to improve the services available to the community.

 First, the Fondation Médicale des Laurentides et des Pays-d’en-Haut provided a new defibrillator, a piece of electronic equipment used to restart cardiac function in a patient. Invented by a doctor in 1947, this machine was conceived as a way to save patients in cardiac arrest.

Indispensable

“The defibrillator is now indispensable. This move fulfills our goals which consist of being closer to patients by providing the best local services, together with the Family Medicine Groups (FMG), hospitals, CLSCs and CHSLDs in the region,” explains the executive director of the Fondation, Daniel Desjardins.

This new contribution brings to twelve the number of devices distributed across the territory. Several health co-ops and many clinics have benefitted from similar gifts in the past.

Other equipment

The Saint-Donat FMG will also be getting a new radiology machine from the CISSS de Lanaudière. The Fondation Médicale will add another $21,000 of new equipment. This contribution was made possible thanks to the profit generated by last spring’s Lauda Garceau Tournament, which raised more than $36,000.

The equipment received includes swivel and pneumatic stools, an electronic thermometer, a Mayo table with tray, a narcotics cabinet, a telescoping arm, a coaxial ophthalmoscope, integrated diagnostic kits, a portable suction pump, liquid nitrogen, and the purchase of a container and cryogen. “We are proud to be able to contribute to the success of the Saint-Donat FMG,” states Mr. Desjardins. “They have shown that it is possible to work together and to achieve results. It is an example for all the FMGs in Quebec,” concludes the executive director of the Fondation Médicale.