Texas County Memorial Hospital is the beneficiary of a new screening device for peripheral artery disease (PAD) thanks to grants from the Bess Spiva Timmons Foundation and the TCMH Healthcare Foundation.
A Revo 1100 PAD screening machine was purchased with a $7,500 grant from the Timmons Foundation, and the hospital’s own TCMH Healthcare Foundation kicked in the remaining $2,735 needed to make the complete purchase of the screening device possible.
Peripheral artery disease is a narrowing of the blood vessels that carry blood to the legs, arms, stomach and kidneys. Fatty deposits build up in the inner lining of the artery walls creating blockages that restrict blood circulation, increasing the risk of death from heart attack or stroke.
According to the American Heart Association, PAD affects eight to 12 million people in the U.S. with adults older than age 50, and diabetics having the greatest risk for the disease.
The Revo 1100 provides a simple diagnostic tool that TCMH will begin using at health fairs, worksite screenings and other events to screen patients for PAD. Libby Waterson, education director at TCMH, is working with technologists in the hospital’s radiology department to provide the screenings at locations throughout Texas County and the surrounding area.
Waterson explained that patients are asked to lie on a cot and remove their shoes and socks for the screening. Blood pressure cuffs are applied to both arms and to the ankles, Waterson said.
The Revo 1100 is utilized to take a reading known as the “ankle brachial index” (ABI) to show the blood flow through the left and right arteries in the legs.
The ABI results from the screening are explained to participants. The screening results may indicate that additional healthcare consultation should be sought from the participant’s healthcare provider.
“All participants will receive a full color print out of their screening results that they can share with their healthcare provider,” Waterson explained. The TCMH radiology department will also keep the results on file.
The PAD screening will be a new part of the health fairs that TCMH holds annually throughout Texas County and Mountain Grove. Work sites that arrange health fairs for their employees through the hospital will also have the option of including the PAD screening.
The screening takes about 10 minutes to complete. There will not be a charge for the screening.
Wes Murray, chief executive officer at TCMH, is pleased with addition of PAD screening in the hospital’s health education services.
“Our healthcare services are augmented by the screening tools we are able to use at health fairs and in other places throughout the area,” Murray said. “For many residents this PAD screening may be the first time they are made aware of their vascular health.”
Murray expressed appreciation to the Timmons Foundation and to the TCMH Healthcare Foundation.
“The healthcare foundation’s partnership with the Timmons Foundation to provide the grant funding to purchase this machine helps us to improve the health of our residents,” Murray said. “Without the grant funding, we would not have been able to invest in this screening tool.”
The Timmons Foundation is a private family foundation of the descendants of Bess Spiva Timmons. The late Dr. Joe L. Spears, a long-time family practice physician from the Cabool area, is a past president of the Timmons Foundation Board.
Tim Spears, son of Dr. Joe L. Spears, assisted in obtaining the funding for TCMH through his family’s foundation.
“We are impressed by the vision of TCMH to reach out beyond its facility to address the long-term health issues of Texas County and the region,” Spears said. “The PAD screening machine is valuable in the early detection of serious health issues and is particularly valuable when used outside of the hospital setting. The Timmons Foundation is proud to assist TCMH in obtaining the Revo 1100.”
The TCMH Healthcare Foundation is non-profit organizational arm of the hospital. The foundation develops relationships and financial resources to support the healthcare programs, projects and services of the hospital.
“The healthcare foundation was pleased to partner with the Timmons Foundation to bring this important screening tool to our area for regular use among our residents,” said Jay Gentry, healthcare foundation director.
For additional information about donor programs at TCMH, contact Gentry at 417-967-1377 or 866-967-3311, ext. 377.