On Friday, January 25, The Kona Hospital Foundation received a generous donation from the Pediatric Hydrocephalus Foundation. The donation check in the amount of $1000 was presented by Christian Tremaine, who was diagnosed with hydrocephalus shortly after his birth at Kona Community Hospital (KCH), and will be earmarked for the hospital’s obstetrics department.
Christain’s mother, Shaurell Tremain says that he was born prematurely at 6 months and weighed less than three pounds. He was transferred quickly from KCH to Kapi’olani Medical Center for Women and Children where he was diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a lifelong condition that causes fluid to accumulate on the brain.
Shaula Tualaulelei is Christian’s aunt and Hawaii State Chapter Director for the Pediatric Hydrocephalus Foundation. Her multi-pronged goal is to raise awareness about hydrocephalus and to nurture, “Hand in hand partnerships for the future of our keiki in Hawaii.”
Tualaulelei championed for the funds from the Pediatric Hydrocephalus Foundation to be donated for use by KCH’s OB department for its annual Neonatal Resuscitation Team (NRT) training at Kapi’olani. “Having this level of neonatal training is so important for babies in our community who are like my nephew,” said Tualaulelei.
Kona Community Hospital obstetrics department is the only neighbor island hospital to have 24/7 Neonatal Resuscitation Teams (NRT). Prerequisites for NRT include certification in NRP (Neonatal Resuscitation Program) and S.T.A.B.L.E. (sugar, temperature, airway, blood pressure, lab work and emotional support), a national course that focuses on stabilizing a sick baby. Nurses then spend 40 hours of training at in the KMCWC Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, followed by 2-day neonatal intubation training with Kapi’olani’s pediatric anesthesia department. Training is on-going annually.
The Kona Hospital Foundation’s mission is to accept gifts and solicit donations for new medical technology, expanded services and enhanced facilities for Kona Community Hospital. Since its inception, the Foundation has donated over five million dollars towards numerous projects that have improved the hospital. Major endeavors include the Radiation Oncology Center, Imaging Center, Nuclear Medicine Suite, and Outpatient Chemotherapy Building.
For additional information on the Kona Hospital Foundation, please call 322-4587 or visit their website at www.khfhawaii.org.
For information about the Pediatric Hydrocephalus Foundation, visit their website at www.HydrocephalusKids.org or contact Shaula Tualaulelei at shaula@hydrocephaluskids.org.