Guild of Tehachapi Hospital donates $27,500 to purchase emergency equipment

When individuals who suffer from cardiac arrest are treated locally, they'll now receive a higher standard of care thanks to the Guild of Tehachapi Hospital.

Members of the Guild of Tehachapi Hospital donated $27,500 to purchase an Arctic Sun Temperature Management System, which will be used to improve outcomes for those who experience cardiac arrest.

"We're so blessed to have a great partner in the Guild of Tehachapi Hospital, which has consistently supported our community's vision for a healthier future, and our mission at Adventist Health to live God's love by inspiring health, wholeness and hope," said Adventist Health Tehachapi Valley Philanthropy Director Christina Scrivner. "We are so grateful for their lifesaving gift."

The Arctic Sun system reduces the chances of severe disability or injury to the brain during a cardiac arrest. Here's how it works: a nurse applies the system's cooling pads to a patient's legs and upper body. Those pads medically-induce therapeutic hypothermia and maintain a consistent core temperature.

"During a cardiac arrest, blood doesn't always flow to all our organs, including our brain. That's the reason why we sometimes see patients suffer neurological damage after a cardiac event," said Alida Lorenz, director of nursing at Adventist Health Tehachapi Valley, whose background is in neurocritical care. "When a patient undergoes this timed temperature management treatment after a cardiac arrest, studies show that their outcomes are better. It is the gold standard of care, and something we're proud to offer locally."

The Arctic Sun system typically retails for more than $60,000, but hospital officials were able to source a system for less than half that cost.

"We're always striving to meet our community's needs," Scrivner said. "But we also want to honor our donors' gifts and be good stewards of those investments."

The equipment will be delivered and operational next month.

Adventist Health is a faith-based, nonprofit integrated health system serving more than 75 communities in California, Hawaii, Oregon and Washington. Our workforce of 32,900 includes more than 23,600 employees; nearly 5,000 medical staff physicians; and 4,350 volunteers. Founded on Seventh-day Adventist heritage and values, Adventist Health provides compassionate care in 23 hospitals, more than 260 clinics (hospital-based, rural health and physician clinics), 15 home care agencies, seven hospice agencies and four joint-venture retirement centers. In addition, the Adventist Health Plan serves patients in Kings County. Visit http://www.AdventistHealth.org for more information.