SARATOGA SPRINGS — Babies born at Saratoga Hospital will now benefit from advanced cardiac monitoring equipment made possible by a gift from the Nemer family and Nemer Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram of Saratoga.
About 10% 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 those 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.
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.
This 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 room; a remodeled nursery, including exam and treatment space; and a new, larger staff support space.
