Supporting Christchurch Women’s Hospital NICU
From fundraising to impact
Thanks to the incredible generosity of our community, we have raised $25,000 to purchase essential equipment for neonatal units across Aotearoa. We’re thrilled to share the story of the first hospital to benefit.
Supporting Christchurch Women’s Hospital NICU
One of the pieces of equipment purchased with your support is an Astodia Neonatal Vein Finder, which has been provided to the Neonatal Service at Christchurch Women’s Hospital.
For babies in neonatal care, having an intravenous (IV) line inserted can be a necessary part of their treatment. IV lines may be needed to provide essential fluids and medication, but finding a suitable vein in a tiny, premature or unwell baby can be extremely challenging.
The equipment can also make the process significantly quicker. When an IV line is successfully placed sooner, babies can get back to sleep and back into the arms of their parents more quickly.
Making difficult veins visible
A vein finder such as the Astodia helps make veins that are difficult to see with the naked eye visible to clinical staff. Without this technology, attempts to place an IV line in a baby can often be unsuccessful.
By helping Doctors and Nurses identify the best vein, the vein finder can reduce the number of attempts needed to successfully insert an IV line. That matters enormously for fragile pēpi.
Fewer attempts mean less discomfort and fewer painful procedures. It also helps preserve other possible IV sites, which can be particularly important for babies who may need multiple IV lines throughout their neonatal journey.
A difference for pēpi and whānau
The team at Christchurch Women’s Hospital told us that this equipment will improve the quality of care they can provide.
“Babies will be more comfortable, and have less painful procedures, if their IV line can be placed successfully in the least number of attempts.”
For parents and whānau, those moments can be incredibly difficult. Knowing that equipment like this can help make an essential medical procedure quicker, easier and more successful can make a very real difference during an already challenging time.
The Christchurch NICU team also shared their thanks with everyone who helped make this purchase possible:
“On behalf of the Neonatal Service at Christchurch Women's Hospital, Waitaha Canterbury, I would like to say a very big thank you for the recent purchase of the Astodia Neonatal Vein Finder, an essential item of equipment that supports neonatal staff in their clinical work.”
They explained that babies in NICU are fragile and many are premature, with some requiring IV catheters for fluids and medication during their neonatal stay. For babies with limited or difficult vein access, the vein finder is an important tool in helping staff locate veins and achieve successful cannulation.
We can't wait to share the stories from the other hospitals we’re supporting with you.
