Inspire 2017 SPRING

Wilcox: Lifesaving Transport Technology

John and Cindy Glancy were high school sweethearts from Pennsylvania, who settled in California. When they first visited Kauai in 1982, they fell in love with the island’s North Shore, and ultimately purchased a condo in Princeville in 2001. It became their second home and the Glancys became heavily involved with local organizations and activities. As they spent more time in the community, they realized what a key role Wilcox Medical Center played in the welfare of Kauai families.

Wilcox is designated as a Level III Trauma Center and its comprehensive 24/7 emergency services make it the medical center residents rely on for immediate care. Wilcox averages 24,311 emergency visits each year and more than 400 trauma activations through its emergency department.  Transportation services are a critical component. The Glancys know what’s involved in transporting patients by ambulance from the North Shore to Wilcox. That’s what inspired them to give.

The Glancys generously donated $30,000 to purchase an item off the Wilcox Emergency Department’s wish list, a program called LIFENET® System. This web-based program allows emergency medical services (EMS) on the scene to transmit vital heart readings to the Wilcox team before the patient arrives.

“Prior to this technology, we relied solely on the paramedic’s on scene report, which depended on the skill level of each person,” said Kevin Myrick, manager of Wilcox’s Emergency Department. “This transmission allows us to place a paper copy of an EKG into our physicians’ hands while the paramedic is seeing it and treating the patient.”

Introducing this system to Kauai ambulances allows the Wilcox team to be engaged in the care process in real time and be better prepared when the patient arrives to the medical center.

“We have much confidence in Wilcox and the wonderful care it provides, so if our gift can improve patient outcomes then we are all for it,” said Cindy Glancy.

The LIFENET® System is part of a larger initiative to expand and upgrade Wilcox’s Emergency Department facilities. The vision is to renovate the current space to enhance workflow.  

Here are some of the funding opportunities for these improvements:

• Add two new trauma resuscitation suites, which will replace existing standard emergency rooms. These specialized suites require adequate space for staff and trauma supplies. 
• Equip the new trauma resuscitation suites with x-ray imaging and all trauma supplies.
• Provide better access and more patient privacy for the existing triage room in Wilcox’s Emergency Department.
• Improve the floor plan between nursing observation stations and emergency rooms.
• Community support is needed to help ensure that the emergency care island residents have come to expect will be there for the next generation.