Highpoint Health uses $50,000 grant to purchase seven anesthesia machines, personal protective equipment

Funded by Greater Cincinnati Foundation & United Way of Greater Cincinnati’s COVID-19 Regional Response Fund.

In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, many hospitals do not have enough ventilators to treat patients who can’t breathe on their own. Highpoint Health, an independent, nonprofit acute care hospital located in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, is no exception.

“We’ve had to be ready to convert many of our existing anesthesia machines into ventilators,” explained Angela Scudder, Chief Nursing Officer, Highpoint Health. “Unfortunately, once retrofitted to the needs of COVID-19 patients, the machines can no longer be used for the general patient population.”

Highpoint Health, like many rural hospitals across the nation, is facing significant financial challenges. And these challenges have only been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Thanks in part to a grant from the COVID-19 Regional Response Fund, Highpoint Health has been able to purchase seven new anesthesia machines as well as much needed personal protective equipment,” said Scudder. “This equipment is critical for us to provide our patients with the highest quality health care. We’re incredibly grateful.”

The rapid-response fund, activated by Greater Cincinnati Foundation and United Way of Greater Cincinnati, distributed $7.3 million in emergency relief to 260 nonprofit organizations that serve the region’s most vulnerable individuals and families, exceeding its $5 million goal within seven weeks.