Vascular screening machine purchased for hospital

1. Texas County Memorial Hospital Web site

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.

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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.

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“All participants will receive a full color

print out of their screening results that they can share with their

healthcare provider,” Waterson explained.

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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.

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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.

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“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.