Since the inception of the HRH Foundation Grants Program in 2011, the Foundation’s Board of Directors has awarded more than $630,000 towards 135 projects to benefit patient care at HRH. One of the most recent recipients is HRH’s Radiology-Nuclear Medicine Department.

“The majority of patients that come into radiology need intravenous (IV) access,” said Jacob Farkas, HRH Nuclear Medicine. “One year ago, if a staff member couldn’t obtain IV access, we called someone from IV Therapy for assistance. It wasn’t efficient for either department and even then, we didn’t always get through and sometimes had to turn patients away.”

HRH’s team put their heads together to identify a solution to improve patients’ experiences. They found their answer in their educational roots.

“All of us in nuclear medicine used guided ultrasound during our medical training,” said Jacob. “It’s proven effective and beneficial for patients.”

In September 2021, the team successfully applied for a grant from the HRH Foundation to purchase the Venue Fit, an ultrasound machine used for gaining IV access. They trained on the machine in early December and now say most of their patients require no more than two attempts.

“I used the ultrasound four times today,” said Jacob. “It literally paid for itself. More importantly, our patients are happier.”

“It has been amazing to see the trust our patients show us now when they know we have ultrasound to help,” said Chelsie Klinger, HRH Nuclear Medicine. “They’re being stuck less, and their entire visit runs more efficiently.”

The ultrasound is so versatile that it has been used by many departments, expanding the benefits of the Foundation’s grant. “The creative idea our Radiology-Nuclear Medicine Department had to improve our patients’ experiences shows that donations to our Foundation make a real difference,” said HRH President & CEO Kevin Speer.

“Our grants program exists to empower our frontline caregivers to enhance patient care at Hendricks,” said Foundation Director Adam Scott. “We have a very compassionate and engaged Board of Directors. They have set aside a record $200,000 this year to support this program.”

HRH departments interested in applying for a grant from the Foundation can find more information at supporthendricks.org/grants. Applications for the spring cycle are due by February 20. There also will be a fall cycle with an application deadline of August 28.