Babies born at Saratoga Hospital can now benefit from advanced cardiac monitoring equipment made possible by a gift from the Nemer family and Nemer Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram of Saratoga.
Hospital officials said about 10 percent of newborns need help breathing at birth. Getting an accurate measurement of their heart rate is critical but often challenging. The Nemers’ pledge of $26,000 will enable Saratoga Hospital to buy four neonatal cardiac monitors to enhance care for these babies.
“With this new equipment, we can begin evaluating and monitoring neonates during their first few minutes of life,” said Dr. Jennifer Lefner, chief of newborn medicine at Saratoga Hospital. “We will have critical, immediate information on how strong their heart rate is and how well they are responding to resuscitation measures.”
Two young members of the Nemer family were born with heart conditions, so the family knows firsthand how important early monitoring can be.
“Once again the Nemers are drawing on their own experience to improve—and, in some cases, even save—the lives of their neighbors in Saratoga County,” said Mary Solomons, executive director of Saratoga Hospital Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Saratoga Hospital. “Their gift is an extraordinary example of empathy and generosity, and we are most grateful.”
Last year, as a tribute to their late father and grandfather, who died of a heart attack, the Nemer family began underwriting Saratoga Hospital’s subscription to the emergency LifeNet System. LifeNet transmits electrocardiogram and other critical patient information to the Emergency Department while the ambulance is en route, so patients can receive appropriate cardiac care within minutes of arriving at the hospital.
Officials said the latest gift enhances infant care and provides additional peace of mind for families of the 750 babies delivered each year in the hospital’s recently renovated Mother/Baby Unit.
The renovations included updates to patient rooms; new diagnostic testing, exam and treatment rooms; a remodeled nursery, including exam and treatment space; and new, larger staff support space.