Equipment Funded
Your donations directly fund essential patient care equipment & programs at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre.
Here's a look at the impact you've had over the past several years.
2026 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018
Equipment Funded in 2026 ($21,270,587)
Thunder Bay Breast Cancer Support Group
($5,000)
Program to support breast cancer survivors.
The Thunder Bay Breast Cancer Support Group is a pro-active, peer-led, self-help group for breast cancer survivors, providing a safe and inclusive space for women and men. The group hosts regular meetings except in summer months. Planned activities include yoga, craft nights, other events as identified by members, and a Survivor Tea during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Flotrac Monitor
(Intensive Care Unit and Operating Room, $132,457)
Equipment to transport patients throughout the Hospital.
In the ICU and during surgery, small changes in blood pressure, blood flow, and/or oxygen delivery can quickly lead to serious complications. The HemoSphere Advanced Monitoring System allows care teams to closely track these important indicators of patient health during transport. Because the system tracks in real time, the care team can respond faster for better patient care and outcomes.
Portable Cardiac Monitor
(All Areas, $14,968)
Equipment to monitor post-procedure heart rate and rhythm.
Patients may experience potentially dangerous side effects that affect the heart rate and rhythm after a heart procedure or due to medications. Many but not all spaces in our Hospital are covered by a central cardiac monitoring system. This upgraded and additional unit will allow for advanced monitoring capabilities and improve patient safety and outcomes when they travel through areas not covered by the central system.
Cardiac Monitor Replacement & Expansion
(Coronary Care Unit, $4,800,000)
Equipment to replace, upgrade, and expand cardiac monitoring in our Hospital.
Our Hospital's cardiac monitoring system is aging, and does not cover all needed patient care areas. This multi-year project will replace three central monitoring stations and replace 32 monitors. The project will also support the launch of the Cardiovascular Surgery Program (CVS) and its dedicated Coronary Care Unit.
Weapons Detection System
(Emergency Department, $132,530.69)
Equipment to detect weapons and ultimately improve patient and staff safety.
Hospitals, particularly emergency departments, are facing increasing challenges related to violence and the presence of weapons in the care setting. This advanced detection system has proven to reduce the number of weapons present in patient care areas, creating a safer environment for all.
Defibrillator Replacements (x10)
(ICU and Emergency Department, $269,647.80)
Equipment to replace and upgrade aging defibrillators.
Our Hospital has installed 26 defibrillators throughout the facility in the event patients experience potentially life-threatening cardiac events. However, some are aging past their end of life. This grant replaces and upgrades the 10 oldest units.
Ophthalmic Chair
(Emergency Department, $10,648)
Equipment to make eye examinations in the Emergency Department easier
The Emergency Department at our Hospital currently uses a dedicated, standard stretcher for eye examinations and procedures. However, it is aging. This grant will replace it with a specialized ophthalmic chair that reclines and positions the patient's head securely. This is helpful for eye exams and for certain treatments including foreign body removal, eye irrigation, and other eye procedures.
Automatic CPR Machines (x3)
(ICU and Emergency Department, $124,306)
Equipment to improve CPR effectiveness.
High-quality CPR chest compressions are difficult to maintain over long periods of time. Fatigue, resulting variability in quality, and other related factors can reduce the effectiveness of this life-saving procedure. Automatic CPR machines can maintain constant compressions without variations, increasing the probability of survival and reducing the risk of side-effects associated with long-term manual CPR. This grant replaces two aging units and increases capacity for better patient safety.
Ventilators (x5)
(ICU, NICU, and Emergency Department, $219,172)
Equipment to assist with patient breathing.
Ventilators are life-saving devices that support patients unable to breathe effectively on their own. This grant purchases three different models of invasive (breathing tube) and non-invasive (mask) ventilators.
Tonometer
(Emergency Department, $6,623)
Equipment for eye exams in the emergency department.
Vision issues often have to be diagnosed and treated quickly to avoid long-term damage to the eye. A tonometer is a diagnostic tool that quickly measures eye pressure at the bedside to help diagnosis the problem faster.
Video Laryngoscope
(ICU and Emergency Department, $79,474)
Equipment to help safely place a breathing tube.
Patients who are having difficulty breathing need to be intubated, a procedure that involves placing a breathing tube down their throat. The video laryngoscope helps guide the way, reducing risk of injury or misplacement, particularly in high-risk situations. This scope replaces an aging unit that is becoming increasingly difficult to fix and maintain.
ICU Beds (x2)
(ICU, $131,487.30)
Equipment for ICU patient care.
Often, patients in ICU are not able to move or even breathe effectively. Standard inpatient beds can leave these patients at higher risk for pressure injuries (bed sores) and other conditions related to immobility. These specialized ICU beds reduce the risk of bed sores, support breathing, and assist with patient repositioning, all of which also shorten ICU stays and time on ventilators.
Nurse Call System Upgrade – Phases 7 & 8
(Multiple Areas, $1,037,031)
Equipment used for seamless, secure communications internally and externally.
Reliability is crucial to safe, secure communications. This grant completes an eight-phase program to replace and upgrade the previous obsolete Nurse Call System. The new system updates technology and allows integration with newer systems and devices. Phases 7 & 8 upgrade the Nurse Call System in the final seven areas of the Hospital: Renal, Fracture Clinic, Cardio-respiratory, Rehab, Cancer Centre Level 2, Cancer Centre Level 3, and Forensic Mental Health.
Accessibility Upgrades
(Multiple Areas, $95,043)
Renovations to make the Hospital more accessible and inclusive.
The Hospital is working to ensure that people with accessibility constraints can navigate the facility independently. This grant will upgrade: accessibility features in Men's and Women's multi-stall washrooms in the Emergency Department, cafeteria, and Main Entrance including automatic faucets and grab bars; visitor seating to incorporate accessible spaces throughout the Hospital; and lower registration desks.
Central Scope Renovation Project
(Medical Device Reprocessing Department, $1,500,000)
Renovations to expand equipment sterilization capacity and meet standards.
Currently, some programs in the Hospital including Ambulatory Care, the Cancer Centre, Diagnostic Imaging, and Endoscopy reprocess (clean and sterilize) their own equipment. However, recent changes to Canadian healthcare standards now require that all reprocessing in hospitals be centralized and performed by trained and certified Medical Device Reprocessing Department (MDRD) staff. The current MDRD space cannot accommodate this extra workload. This grant will help create a new Scope Reprocessing area for endoscopy across from Surgical Day Care, and upgrade this service to current certification standards.
Patient Transport Stretchers (x10)
(Multiple Areas, $58,077)
Equipment to transport patients throughout the Hospital as needed.
As the name suggests, patient transport stretchers are dedicated patient beds to transport patients throughout the Hospital including from the Emergency Department to an inpatient unit and from an inpatient unit to an appointment such as in Diagnostic Imaging. Constant wear and tear mean these stretchers need to be periodically replaced. This grant will replace and upgrade aging/inoperable stretchers.
Food Carts (x10) and Electrical Upgrades
(Cafeteria Services, $229,080.76)
Equipment and renovations for inpatient meals delivery.
The cafeteria launched a new Cook/Serve process to improve taste and quality of inpatient meals. The system has been well received by patients. However, due to the cost of replacing equipment, the cafeteria could only replace seven of the 21 delivery carts to the new system. This grant purchases 10 more to bring the total to 17, which the cafeteria said is its ideal fleet size with the new system.
Vital Signs Monitors (x34) Yearly Replacement
(Multiple Areas, $165,150)
Equipment to monitor patient vital signs.
Vital signs monitors are crucial pieces of equipment used daily in almost every area of the Hospital. This grant replaces and upgrades aging models.
Single Chamber EPG Kits (x2)
(Cardiac Cath Lab, $8,752)
Equipment to monitor patient heart rhythms.
An electrophysiology (EPG) kit monitors a single chamber of the patient's heart to detect abnormal heart rhythms to support treatment planning. This grant funds two new kits that replace aging kits. Upgrades include improved signal quality so clinicians can monitor electrical activity in the heart chamber more precisely.
Cardiac Catheterization Lab Room 2 Replacement
(Cardiac Cath Lab, $1,735,150)
Equipment to support cardiac procedures.
Cardiac Catheterization Labs or “Cath Labs” contain some of the most advanced equipment in any hospital. Modern upgrades not only replace aging equipment, they provide important upgrades. This grant will replace the second of two Cath Labs in our Hospital. This upgrade will improve image quality, reduce radiation exposure for patients and staff, support new minimally invasive procedures that are now the standard of care, and improve overall standard of patient care. These upgrades will also reduce travel, ensuring more patients can get cardiac treatment right here at home.
15-lead ECG Unit
(Cardiac Diagnostics, $23,044.17)
Equipment to monitor electrical activity in the heart.
An electrocardiogram (ECG) is a standard of care to help diagnose heart conditions such as heart attack. Currently, the Hospital has three ECG machines. This grant adds a fourth to the fleet, expanding capacity to meet growing need.
Stress Test Upgrade
(Cardiac Diagnostics, $52,207.96)
Equipment to help diagnose heart disease.
A stress test is often the first step in diagnosing heart disease and conditions. Staff in the Cardiac Diagnostics Department monitor patients on a treadmill, assessing how well the heart responds as both speed and incline increases. Results help physicians diagnose heart conditions and support treatment planning. This grant replaces and upgrades an aging stress test system.
EEG Data Server Storage
(Cardiac Diagnostics, $21,490)
Service to store EEG data.
Electroencephalogram (EEG) is a diagnostic test used to record electrical activity in the brain. This data is stored on a managed server so that physicians can monitor neurological conditions over time including epilepsy, sleep disorders, and brain injuries. This grant covers the portion of the Hospital's data management service dedicated to EEG data storage.
Ultrasound Units (x3)
(Renal Services, $92,791)
Equipment to improve needle pokes during dialysis.
Dialysis cleans the blood when kidney function fails or is not effective enough. This requires needle pokes at least three times per week. Vein grafts called fistulas help make access easier, improving safety and patient comfort. However, fistulas can break down with successive needle pokes.
Ultrasound guidance ensures accuracy, reducing repeated attempts, extending the life of the fistula and improving patient care. The ultrasound unit is also used to assess the fistula. This grant replaces aging units and upgrades technology.
Dialysis Treatment Chairs (x3)
(Renal Services, $42,794)
Equipment for dialysis treatments.
Patients on dialysis must come to our Hospital or a satellite location several times a week for many hours per treatment. Comfort is very important. These three new dialysis chairs are made in Canada by a Canadian company and have many features for patient comfort and safety including moulded foam to reduce pressure points and electric recline. The design also helps increase staff safety.
C-Arm
(Ambulatory Care, $223,649)
Equipment used for image-guided procedures.
Physicians in Ambulatory Care at our Hospital use a C-arm for image-guided procedures. This low-dose X-ray machine is used for outpatient urology, endoscopy, orthopaedics, and pain management. The current C-arm is 20 years old, and frequent breakdowns cause delays in patient care including rebooking appointments. The new, upgraded unit uses lower doses of X-rays but achieves sharper, higher resolution images for more precision during procedures, particularly for pain management procedures.
Portable X-ray Unit
(Diagnostic Imaging, $250,166)
Equipment for X-ray imaging throughout the Hospital.
For some of the Hospital's sickest patients, travelling to Diagnostic Imaging (DI) can be a challenge or even medically dangerous. This portable X-ray unit allows DI to come to them. Not only does this new, upgraded unit feature higher resolution images with low-dose X-rays, it also connects to the Hospital Wi-Fi system for faster transfer of images throughout the system.
Contrast Power Injector
(Diagnostic Imaging, $47,781.32)
Equipment to improve image-guided procedures that use contrast agents.
In some vascular surgeries such as endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR), surgeons use a contrast during the image-guided procedures to help them see better. Traditionally, this would be injected manually using a syringe. However, procedures like this get better images from a controlled injection. This new unit upgrades the previous model with improvements such as syringe-less injection and leak detection for improved patient safety.
Ultrasound
(Diagnostic Imaging, $188,496.50)
Equipment for non-invasive imaging with many applications.
Ultrasound has come a long way in the last 10 years as a diagnostic imaging tool. In 2025, Diagnostic Imaging (DI) performed 22,072 ultrasound exams for over 17,000 patients. It is used for obstetrics, oncology, cardiac, vascular, and many other areas of healthcare. This new unit replaces and upgrades an aging unit with improvements like 3D imaging for better, more accurate visualization; functional imaging (“video”-like images rather than single images); and higher resolution.
Vascular C-Arm
(Vascular Surgery, $244,027)
Equipment for image-guided vascular surgery.
Image-guided vascular surgery provides real-time X-ray imaging during delicate procedures. This new vascular C-arm provides vascular surgeons with better imaging through software using lower doses of X-rays. This and other automated features can reduce surgery time, reducing X-ray exposure even further for better, safer patient care.
Siemens Somatom X.ceed CT Scanner
(Diagnostic Imaging, $2,280,765)
Equipment for CT scans.
Currently, the CT Department performs 225 CT scans per day and operates 24 hours per day. However, its scanner is now over 10 years old, prone to breakdown, and no longer supported by the manufacturer. This new unit replaces the old one, and upgrades it with features such as higher resolution images, higher speed imaging, and lower doses of radiation. This new unit will also support growing cardiovascular services with high-quality cardiac imaging.
Fridge Replacement
(Pharmacy, $20,476.24)
Equipment for medication cold storage.
The Pharmacy Department at our Hospital has many medications which require cold storage. Currently, the Main Pharmacy operates five fridges at full capacity. A breakdown of one of the aging units would compromise medications and potentially patient safety. This new unit would increase capacity and ensure medications are safely stored in the event of a fridge breakdown. This newer model features advanced monitoring to assess medications after power failure.
Liquid Packager Fluidose
(Pharmacy, $51,944)
Equipment to help dispense liquid medications.
Many liquid medications come in bulk containers, which means staff needs to separate these medications into single doses, customized to each inpatient's prescription. Preparing each dose manually is time intensive and inefficient. This unit automatically dispenses the right dose for each patient, which in turn also reduces the risk of medication errors.
Controlled Substance Storage Management System
(Pharmacy, $115,488)
Equipment to secure controlled medications and manage dispensing.
Currently, controlled substances such as narcotic pain relievers are stored on open shelves in a “vault” for security. This new system increases safety and efficiency by replacing the open-shelf vault with a software-operated locked unit. The unit only dispenses the medication prescribed. This keeps all controlled substances more secure, tracks who accesses what medication when, and increases dispensing efficiency.
Platelet Aggregometer & Fridge Back-up System
(Laboratory, $80,785)
Equipment for monitoring platelet levels & for storing lab reagents.
This grant covers two separate pieces of equipment. A platelet aggregometer measures platelets in patients who have bleeding disorders or blood clotting issues including cancer patients. This unit replaces and upgrades the previous unit, which is at end of life. A specialized fridge helps the Lab store and monitor the millions of dollars of reagents needed for various lab tests. This also replaces an aging unit before it breaks down, potentially degrading the reagents, which would affect lab test results.
Gas Chromatopgraph with Flame Ionization Detector
(Radiopharmacy, $60,021.24)
Equipment to ensure the safe use of radiopharmaceuticals.
The cyclotron at our Hospital produces radiopharmaceuticals such as FDG, which is used as a tracer to detect cancer cells during a PET scan. Radiopharmaceuticals need to be tested with a gas chromatopgraph after production to ensure they are safe for use. The program's current gas chromatopgraph is past end of life; this grant replaces that system to reduce the risk of delays to patient testing due to inoperable equipment.
Trauma-informed Care Workshop
(Adult Mental Health, $9,731.40)
Training for Adult Mental Health staff.
Many inpatients in Adult Mental Health are affected by trauma, which can act as a trigger if the wrong approach is taken for their care, particularly if they are in crisis. This workshop, facilitated by the Crisis and Trauma Resource Institute (CTRI), will train 50 Hospital staff from high-impact clinical areas so that they can better understand the effects of trauma on patients, respond in a compassionate and effective way, and manage withdrawal symptoms in patients.
Mental Health Medical Beds (x3)
(Adult Mental Health, $26,677.57)
Equipment for inpatients in Adult Mental Health.
Standard hospital beds can pose risks for mental health patients. However, Adult Mental Health inpatients may require other medical interventions as well. These specially designed, Made-in-Canada (Umano) mental health beds provide a safer environment for mental health patients with the same versatility as a hospital stretcher while preserving patient dignity and reducing stigma.
Starlight Fun Centre Gaming Station
(Child and Adolescent Mental Health Unit, $10,000)
Equipment to entertain young inpatients in CAMHU.
The Children and Adolescent Mental Health Unit (CAMHU) helps youth in acute mental health crisis, in part by providing a safe, secure environment to help them regulate emotions. Patients may be admitted for long periods of time. This age-appropriate gaming system provides recreation and distraction for youth while also providing opportunities for peer connection and establishing trust with staff.
Portable Ultrasound and Video Laryngoscope
(Paediatric Emergency Transport Team, $29,709.69)
Equipment to treat paediatric patients during medical transfer.
Quicker, safer procedures lead to better outcomes – and both pieces of equipment in this grant do just that. The portable ultrasound unit will help members of the Paediatric Emergency Transport Team (PETT) start IVs in children faster and with fewer pokes. This delivers often life-saving medicine faster, but also reduces trauma and pain that comes with repeated needle pokes. Similarly, repeated attempts at intubation can be scary and traumatizing for children. The video laryngoscope helps guide an airway tube, increasing the chances of success the first time and reducing the risk of complications.
Integrated Obstetrics Equipment Bundle
(Women & Children's Program, $238,080.46)
Equipment for safer births.
Birthing beds, “bili lights” for treating jaundice in newborns, fetal monitors, and perineum lights used to give staff a clearer view during birth all help create a safer environment during birth. New software can integrate all these systems to the electronic medical record, which in turn keeps an accurate record automatically. However, current equipment in Labour & Delivery does not have these capabilities, which will be a requirement. This new equipment bundle will upgrade and replace aging equipment for safer deliveries and improved follow-up monitoring.
NICU Equipment Bundle
(NICU, $174,990.56)
Equipment for transporting and treating infants who require intensive care.
The Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU) cares for about 400 infants from birth to four-months old every year. This equipment bundle include three pieces of equipment to replace aging ones: an infant warmer with resuscitation panel, an isolette (incubator), and an infant weigh scale with cart. It also includes two pieces of equipment new to NICU. The Giraffe Stand-alone Resuscitation System can be used by itself in the NICU or during transit from elsewhere in the Hospital. The video laryngoscope helps during intubation (placing an airway tube) for the Hospital's smallest patients, increasing success the first time and decreasing the risk of complications.
Manometry Catheter
(Endoscopy, $22,050)
Equipment to measure pressure within the digestive tract.
The digestive tract is made up of a series of muscles and sphincters (a ring muscle that closes a natural body passage). The manometry catheter measures how well these muscles are working. It is used for treatment planning include acid inhibitors, surgical interventions, and specialty diets.
Eye Surgery Beds (x2)
(Surgical Day Care, $18,322.32)
Equipment for eye surgery.
Eye surgery beds or stretchers are custom-made to help position the patient's head during cataract and other eye surgeries. Currently, Surgical Day Care performs 2,000 eye surgeries every year – and the numbers are growing. The addition of these two new beds will increase patient capacity and allow for a smoother transition when aging stretchers reach end of life.
Mini C-Arm
(Orthopaedic Surgery, $97,500)
Equipment for orthopaedic surgery.
X-ray imaging is often used during orthopaedic surgery. This portable C-arm can be wheeled into any OR providing surgeons with a better view of the patient's bones. The new C-arm will increase capacity, which would in turn reduce orthopaedic surgery wait times for patients.
Anterior Hip Instruments (x2)
(Orthopaedic Surgery, $72,793.31)
Equipment for surgery that leads to faster recovery.
Anterior hip replacements are becoming more common because the procedure, works around muscle rather than cutting through it, leads to faster recovery time, and reduces the time patients need to take pain medications.
However, these instruments need to be fully cleaned and sanitized between surgeries, limiting the number of times a set of instruments can be used in a day. This grant adds two new sets of anterior hip instruments to the one already existing, increasing capacity.
Biologic Hand Revision Instrument Set
(Orthopaedic Surgery, $48,558.91)
Equipment for knee and hip replacement surgery.
Hip and knee replacements often wear down over time requiring a new replacement. Removing the old implants requires removing the biologic material (bone cement) used to attach them to the bone – similar to removing old grout before adding new. However, bone cement is much harder to remove. These instruments, which surgeons use by hand, make the procedure easier.
ENT Microscope
(Operating Room, $293,369.14)
Equipment used during ears, nose, or throat surgery.
Ear, nose, and throat (ENT) surgeries such as tumour removal, sinus surgeries, and removal of impacted earwax often require magnification. ENT microscopes provide light and real-time video so that surgeons can see the fine anatomical details for more precise surgery and ultimately better outcomes for patients. This new scope replaces and upgrades an aging unit.
Cataract Instruments Tray
(Operating Room, $7,182.80)
Equipment for eye surgery.
There are 2,000 cataract surgeries performed at our Hospital every year. Surgeons need specialized instruments for these procedures, which then need to be cleaned and sanitized before the next use. A new tray of cataract instruments increases capacity to meet growing demand and potentially reduce wait times for patients. Adding a new tray also reduces the risk of a surgery being rescheduled due to lack of instruments.
Spinal Surgery Table
(Operating Room, $203,655.01)
Equipment for spinal surgery.
More and more, X-ray imaging is used to improve orthopaedic surgery. However, the metal on typical operating tables interferes with the images. Radiolucent tables allow surgeons to use X-ray imaging without interference. This new table, designed specifically for spinal surgery, doubles the number of radiolucent tables to increase capacity for the six spinal surgeons at our Hospital.
Phaco Handpiece
(Operating Room, $6,215)
Equipment used during cataract surgery.
Cataract surgery involves removing the old, cloudy lens and replacing it with a new artificial one. The Phaco handpiece is a pen-like device that first breaks up the old lens into small pieces using ultrasonic waves, then vacuums them out. Adding this 16th Phaco to the fleet increases capacity and reduces the risk of rescheduling cataract surgery due to lack of instruments.
Stirrups Set with Leg Clamps
(Operating Room, $11,300)
Equipment for easier pelvic-area surgeries.
Stirrups help keep a patient's legs up and comfortable during pelvic-area surgery while making it easier for the surgeon to adjust positioning. This set brings the OR's complement to seven sets, increasing capacity.
OR Room 11 Upgrade
(Operating Room, $45,710.26)
Equipment for high-resolution imaging during surgery.
High-res imaging helps surgeon see surgical sites more easily, catching tiny details like slight colour variations and small movements. This grant will replace and upgrade an aging monitor in Operation Room 11 for sharper images and potentially better outcomes.
Operating Table
(Operating Room, $89,133.69)
Equipment for the Operating Room.
Patients often need to be repositioned during surgery, which can be difficult – especially with larger patients. It sometimes requires four or five staff to move a patient, and both patient and staff are at risk of injury. This new “sliding” operating table makes repositioning easier by moving the table automatically at the touch of a button. Its best-in-class 800lb weight capacity means that larger patients are safe and secure without sacrificing any benefits of a highly specialized operating table.
Ultrasound with Robotic Probes
(Operating Room, $510,017.12)
Equipment for da Vinci Robotic kidney surgery.
Traditionally, kidney cancer surgery meant removing the whole kidney, which leads to a lower quality of life and higher risk of complications later in life. The robotic da Vinci Surgical System made it possible to remove only part of the kidney – but only for tumours on the surface. This ultrasound unit connects directly to the da Vinci so that surgeons can locate and remove tumours inside the kidney as well.
It provides vital information including tumour size, precise location, and depth inside the kidney. It also shows important structures that surgeons need to avoid including blood vessels and the urine-collecting system. This ultrasound probe represents a giant leap forward in kidney cancer treatment, vastly improving outcomes and quality of life for many patients.
Handheld Ultrasound
(Anaesthesiology, $30,000)
Equipment used to prepare and monitor patients in surgery.
Anaesthesiologists play an important role in the operating room, ensuring that the patient is under and monitoring vital signs during surgery. This handheld ultrasound provides image guidance for certain procedures such as nerve blocks and central line insertion. It can also help with diagnostics during surgery to quickly review heart function, lung function, and fluid levels without the need for larger machines. This unit replaces and upgrades aging models.
Anaesthesia Gas Machines (x15)
(Anaesthesiology, $2,161,471.65)
Equipment to administer general anaesthesia during surgery.
There have been many advancements recently in the field of anaesthesiology. Older manual systems like the ones currently in use are labour-intensive, making constant adjustments during surgery to ensure oxygen and anaesthetic gas levels stay within range. These new units automatically monitor and adjust controls like oxygen/gases, provide better alarms, and improve speed and efficiency. The system is also designed to be upgradable in the future. Ultimately, this new fleet of machines improves patient safety during surgery.
Hysteroscope
(Operating Room, $9,845)
Equipment used during uterine surgery.
Often, patients with certain uterine conditions would require at least two procedures: one to diagnose the problem and a surgical procedure to treat it. With the hysteroscope, surgeons can diagnose and treat common issues such as fibroids, polyps, and abnormal bleeding at the same time and in a minimally invasive way. The system includes a mini camera and channels for tools, and does not require general anaesthetic. It makes uterine care more efficient, less invasive, and more patient centred.
Gyne Laparoscopy Instrument Set
(Operating Room, $16,738.52)
Equipment for gynaecological surgeries.
An increase in gynaecological surgeries means that surgeries may be delayed because all instruments are being cleaned and sterilized (reprocessed). This grant purchases an extra instrument set to increase capacity, reducing the risk of delays and increasing efficiency for gynaecological surgeries.
Laparoscopic Imaging System
(Operating Room, $34,143)
Equipment used for laparoscopic surgery.
Minimally invasive surgery only requires small incisions to insert instruments laparoscopically, which has several benefits over open surgery. However, surgeons need imaging systems to be able to see inside the body. This grant purchases a thin 4K camera head, camera control unit, and endoscopic light source to help guide the surgeon during laparoscopic operations.
Laparoscopes (x2)
(Operating Room, $16,730.38)
Equipment used to guide surgeons during laparoscopic surgery.
Minimally invasive surgery is safer and leads to faster recovery for patients because surgeons only make tiny incisions. However, they need to be able to see where they are operating using tiny cameras with light sources called laparoscopes. This grant purchases two new scopes, one 10mm and one 5mm, to meet growing demand and reduce the risk of surgery delays.
Nathanson Retractor System
(Operating Room, $9,473)
Equipment to hold liver during surgery.
Certain operations including bariatric surgery require surgeons to work around other organs including the liver. A Nathanson retractor gently lifts the liver out of the way during surgery to give the surgeon a clear view without needing a member of the operating team to hold it. This grant adds a third Nathanson retractor to the operating room, expanding capacity to meet growing demand.
Da Vinci Instrument Trays (x16)
(Operating Room, $76,400)
Equipment used for robotic (da Vinci) surgery.
The da Vinci Surgery System brings robotic surgery to our Hospital. It requires a completely different set of instruments. To this point, operating staff have used “peel packing” of individually wrapped instruments. These new da Vinci instrument trays have spaces for every single instrument, much like a tool box. This makes it easier to sterilize, easier to inspect before surgery, and easier to reach for the right tool when needed. It also helps ensure all instruments are accounted for after surgery. This leads to better, faster, safer surgeries for patients.
Trauma Man Upper Body + ArtLine Trainer
(Sim Lab, $25,109.50)
Equipment to support advanced skills training.
This grant provides funding for two separate simulation mannequins. The Trauma Man Upper Body mannequin is used to train for urgent interventions such as chest tube insertion, cardiac assessment, and needle decompression for collapsed lung. The need for these skills will increase with the new CVS Program.
The ArtLine Trainer, short for “arterial line”, allows healthcare providers to practice inserting catheters into arteries, particularly in the wrist. The trainer provides realistic feedback, which helps to maintain skills, improve accuracy, and reduce the risk for complications in patient situations.
SimNewB Light Tetherless Mannequin
(Sim Lab, $92,988.78)
Equipment to support skills training for newborn care.
The SimNewB is an advanced mannequin designed to help care providers train and maintain skills for newborn care in the first 10 minutes of life. The mannequin features realistic breathing, crying, and real-time changes in vital signs. It allows healthcare providers practice skills in a number of scenarios including resuscitation, advanced airway procedures, and umbilical access for treatment.
Phantom Cavity Plug (x3)
(Radiation Therapy, $34,608)
Equipment to verify radiation dose levels before treatment.
Radiation therapy kills cancer cells by bombarding them with radiation. However, it's vitally important to also protect healthy tissue. One important step is to verify that the radiation dose ordered is actually the radiation dose that the linac delivers. “Phantoms” mimic human tissue, and are used to verify radiation dose, calibrate equipment, and perform quality assurance checks. This grant purchases three new phantoms to replace aging phantoms degraded by radiation over 3-5 years.
ArcCheck 4D Isotropic Arc Delivery
(Radiation Therapy, $91,701)
Equipment to verify radiation dose levels before treatment.
As noted in the grant above, minimizing the risk to health tissue during radiation therapy is vital. The ARC Check system is designed to read actual radiation doses (from, for example, a phantom), and compare them with the prescribed dosage to ensure the linac is accurately delivering the correct dosage before each patient treatment session. This grant replaces and upgrades an aging system degraded by repeated radiation exposure.
Constancy Meter
(Radiation Therapy, $15,284)
Equipment to verify radiation dose levels before treatment.
Constancy meters are another tool used to ensure that the linacs are calibrated and delivering the expected doses of radiation during radiation therapy. This tool is primarily used for “morning warm up”, comparing radiation beam results from the previous day. This grant replaces and upgrades an aging system degraded by repeated radiation exposure.
Radiation Survey Meter
(Radiation Therapy, $10,189)
Equipment to measure radiation levels in the environment.
Shielding protects patients, staff, and the general public from radiation emitted from the linacs. A radiation survey meter measures radiation levels in the Radiation Therapy department to ensure there isn't “leakage” of radiation. This unit replaces and upgrades an aging unit.
Electron Ion Chamber
(Radiation Therapy, $9,170)
Equipment to verify radiation dose levels during treatment.
The electron ion chamber is a gas-filled device that measures actual ionization levels emitted from the linac during radiation treatments. It provides real-time measurements to ensure patients receive the appropriate dose. This grant replaces and upgrades an aging electron ion chamber degraded by radiation exposure.
Telemedicine Equipment Renewal
(Telemedicine, $122,268)
Equipment to support Telemedicine in our Hospital.
Telemedicine is one tool our Hospital uses to reduce the need for patient travel. For example, it can potentially save patients thousands in travel costs and days of lost work for the sake of one 15-minute appointment out of town. Telemedicine technology has improved significantly over the years. This grant replaces and modernizes an aging (15+ years) system to improve the quality of communications and overall experience for patients and the healthcare providers they connect with. The system is also used for education, training, research activities, collaborations with out-of-town organizations, and virtual teaching sessions.
Sectra PACS Imaging System
(Multiple Areas, $1,700,000)
Equipment for secure storage and access of medical images.
The Sectra PACS is a shared imaging platform that securely stores and allows authorized access to patient images including X-rays, MRIs, and other diagnostic imaging scans. The current system is nearing obsolescence, and upgrades would be expensive and only delay an inevitable upgrade. This grant upgrades and modernizes the whole system to become a secure, cloud-based system that will better support authorized access to the system by a wide range of different healthcare systems across Northwestern Ontario and beyond.
Grab Bars (x17)
(Tbaytel Tamarack House, $13,407)
Equipment to improve patient safety.
Tamarack House, the “home away from home” for regional cancer patients, is upgrading its rooms to include grab bars. These secure bars will better support patients with mobility issues in and out of the tub.
Wheelchairs (x20) and Staxis (x20)
(Multiple Areas, $63,394)
Equipment to transport patients with mobility issues around the Hospital.
Wheelchairs and Staxis – specially designed wheeled transport – are used by patients, families, and staff at the Hospital every day. Normal wear and tear means that chairs much be replaced regularly to maintain the fleet. If too few chairs are available, it can lead to delays in patient transport and in turn timely access to care.
Patient Lifts
(Multiple Areas, $46,671.27)
Equipment to assist with repositioning or moving patients.
Patients at the Hospital who are non-mobile or have restricted mobility need assistance while travelling to other areas of the Hospital and/or repositioning to avoid bed sores. This grant funds one Hoyer mobile floor lift, two ceiling lifts, and three sit-to-stand lifts to support patients standing up while promoting rehabilitation.
External & Regional Equipment Funded
NOSH-Marathon Palliative Care and Regional Oncology Equipment Renewal Project
(Wilson Memorial General Hospital, $36,090)
Equipment for satellite cancer care site in Marathon.
The Cancer Centre at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre supports regional cancer programs including at the Wilson Memorial General Hospital in Marathon, part of the North of Superior Healthcare Group (NOSH). This funding replaces and upgrades cancer treatment equipment for closer-to-home care: four chemotherapy infusion pumps, a bladder scanner for tumour detection and other uses, and a vital signs monitor.
SimMan 3G Indigenous Model
(Confederation College, $115,000)
Simulation Training Equipment for Nursing Students.
Confederation College recently launched its Honours Bachelor of Science, Nursing program. The program will graduate approximately 50 Registered Nurses in 2027 in addition to its Practical Nursing program. Many of those nurses will go on to work at our Hospital. Purchase of SimMan 3G will allow the College to add a third simulation lab to meet capacity needs of this wider nursing program. This advanced SimMan provides Indigenous-focused simulation to promote culturally safe care in the hospital setting.
Fujifilm Sonosite Point of Care Ultrasound
(Lake of the Woods District Hospital, $74,783.28)
Equipment used rapid imaging of organs, blood vessels, and fluid build-up.
Ultrasound imaging is a fast, non-invasive method to find blood vessels, do early investigations for the heart and lungs, and to find build-ups of fluid in the body. The Point-of-Care Ultrasound is an important imaging tool for faster, safer, better patient care. For the Lake of the Woods District Hospital in Kenora, as the only ICU in the region west of Thunder Bay, it is a heavily used item. Funding replaces and upgrades a previous aging unit.
Other Funding in 2026 ($5,939,441.61)
Family CARE Grants (up to $150,000)
Cardiovascular Surgery Program ($720,734)
Research & Innovation ($5,068,707.67 - set aside over 5 years)