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Heart education benefits from new visual teaching aid

Thursday, November 30, 2017

 
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Gundersen Boscobel's new heart teaching aid.

One of the projects in 2017 purchased by the BAHC Foundation through the  Gundersen Boscobel employee "I Give" campaign was a Heart Teaching Model for the Cardiopulmonary Rehab Department. The model is a three dimensional way for patients to visualize what's happening inside their bodies to gain a better understanding of their heart health risks.

"Patient education is an important part of the care we provide in our department," explained Nora Munson, Director of Cardiopulmonary Rehab. "We can tell patients things over and over, but being able to see them this way is often much more effective." It is also a useful tool when having conversations with patients' family members.

Topics the model helps the Cardiopulmonary Rehab staff members discuss with patients include, but are not limited to bypass surgery, valve surgery, heart attacks and heart failure. "The model reveals the exterior details of the heart, along with the visual of where bypass grafts are located. Additionally, it can be opened up to reveal the inside of the heart chambers and valve structures of the heart," Munson continued.

"Having a model like this is very beneficial," Munson stated. "We are so thankful that the Foundation and, more importantly, the Gundersen Boscobel employees felt this was such a worthwhile purchase."

The Cardiopulmonary Rehab department at Gundersen Boscobel sees about 100 new patients each year, meaning there are many individuals needing the best possible patient education. It is important that each educational opportunity is used to its fullest.

The Boscobel Area Healthcare Foundation's "I Give" campaign is an opportunity for Gundersen Boscobel employees to choose to donate to the Foundation—at any level—through payroll deductions or one-time gifts. In 2016, there was a 38% participation rate, with total gifts totaling just over $11,000. Employees also help select projects funded with "I Give" monies. The 2017 BAHC Foundation Employee "I Give" campaign will officially kick-off on Tuesday, November 28, which is national #GivingTuesday. More information to come.

Gundersen Boscobel strives to be an organization that people, both inside our walls and externally, are confident in financially supporting. As 2017 comes to a close, we are thankful for the donations made and the purchases funded this year, and we look forward to a prosperous and successful 2018 as well.

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