Step just two feet into NYGH’s Charlotte & Lewis Steinberg Emergency, and you enter a space that is a true testament to community support. Yes, this is a fully-equipped emergency department, but thanks to the support of NYGH’s donor community, it’s so much more.
Step just two feet into NYGH’s Charlotte & Lewis Steinberg Emergency, and you enter a space that is a true testament to community support. Yes, this is a fully-equipped emergency department, but thanks to the support of NYGH’s donor community, it’s so much more.
Many of the tools that surround its busy care providers are easy to overlook yet critical for saving lives on a daily basis — standing as powerful reminders of donor impact.
As Andrea Ennis, Director of Emergency Services Program & Nursing Resource Teams at NYGH puts it, “The Foundation, and the donors who give back to this hospital, bridge that final gap for us — elevating good care to extraordinary care. These advanced tools ensure we’re prepared for any emergency, laser-focused on patient care, and equipped to respond with unmatched precision when life changes in a blink”.
We begin our tour of the ER and of its donor-funded equipment right at the entrance, with an introduction to a small but mighty new machine:
“You’ve just stepped into the Emergency department, and here we already have a perfect example of what donor support makes possible,” says Andrea, pointing to a compact device behind the registration desk.
“Babies and young children can compensate for health issues until they suddenly crash, so detecting even small weight changes is critical,” she explains. “Previously, we’d weigh mom first, then mom with baby—a method too imprecise for emergencies. Now, with our donor-funded Infant Weight Scale, we can get an accurate reading in seconds, safely, right here at the entrance.”
Just a few steps further, Andrea points out another essential, donor-funded tool: the Point of Care Ultrasound, or POCUS. “Typically, ultrasounds are completed outside of our department, but in critical cases, our POCUS brings this crucial step to the bedside, saving precious time. For instance, in cardiac arrest, this machine quickly reveals if the heart is still beating too weakly to detect a pulse. In pregnancy complications, like ectopic pregnancies, it lets us intervene instantly. This technology, thanks to donor support, is transforming our ER care.”
A few steps further, Andrea picks up a state-of-the-art Video Bronchoscope, also made possible by donor support. “This device is transformative for emergency airway support,” she explains. “When physicians are intubating, visualizing the airway can be difficult through steam, blood, and other obstacles. But with a camera at the tip, they get a direct, clear view in real time, which improves intubation success and speeds up the process—both critical in emergencies.”
With time running short and still so much to show, Andrea begins a demonstration of the ER’s Rapid Fluid Infuser, which she says has truly revolutionized emergency care.
“Now, we can deliver a warmed unit of blood in minutes— compared to the hour it would usually take. For trauma victims or mothers facing severe blood loss, using cold fluids can lead to hypothermia, which only complicates treatment. This device keeps fluids at core temperature, eliminating that risk and letting us act fast.”
Finally, Andrea stands before the Freestanding Panda Baby Warmer, visibly moved. “This warmer is essential for critically unwell infants needing specialized support that goes beyond what standard baby warmers offer. State of the art design allows us to optimally position the baby, regulate the temperature, deliver a specialized oxygen blend tailored to the infant and most importantly, it also provides families the ability to remain at the baby’s side, even in critical moments.”
As she prepares to return to her vital work, Andrea takes a moment to reflect on the incredible impact of donor support:
“I want to sincerely express that each one of these tools has transformed our ability to respond with precision and compassion when it matters most — and each has played a critical role in saving lives. It’s truly because of our community’s generosity that we’re equipped to meet any challenge that walks through our doors, ensuring we’re here for every one of life’s defining moments.”
Would you like to support patients and their families at North York General? Donate today to help fund our most urgent needs including upgraded equipment, enhanced care spaces and innovation across NYGH:
