Kona Hospital Foundation Receives $25,000 grant from First Hawaiian Bank Foundation

Kealakekua, Hawaii – On December 3, the First Hawaiian Bank Foundation awarded the Kona Hospital Foundation a $25,000 grant to help fund a new cardiac telemetry system at Kona Community Hospital (KCH).

A telemetry system is a continuously electronic patient monitoring system. This tremendously useful tool allows hospital personnel to monitor heart rate, heart rhythm, breathing and other vitals at the patient’s bedside, as well as a t a remote location like a nursing station.

“We’re very thankful for this generous grant, which aligns with First Hawaiian Bank Foundation’s commitment to building healthier communities,” said Judi Nakamaru, Kona Hospital Foundation Vice Chair. “It will help to improve the cardiac technology that is available at Kona Community Hospital.”

A Philips IntelliVue Cardiac System is on order to replace the hospital’s current telemetry system, which must be retired by June 2016. The new system will be installed in the first quarter of 2016. It will increase the hospital’s cardiac monitoring capabilities from 12 to 15 patients.

The cardiac telemetry monitoring system is used daily to monitor patients in the hospital’s Medical/Surgical (Med/Surg) Department as well as the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

“First Hawaiian’s continued long-standing support for Kona Hospital is part of our commitment to ensuring quality health services for the Big Island community,” said Sharon Shiroma Brown, President, First Hawaiian Bank Foundation. “Kona Hospital’s new high-tech telemetry system will provide its patients peace of mind knowing that they are receiving the highest level of care.”

About Kona Hospital Foundation

The Kona Hospital Foundation, a nonprofit corporation, was created in 1984 to accept gifts and solicit donations for new medical technology, expanded services and enhanced facilities for Kona Community Hospital. Since its inception, the Foundation has donated over five million dollars towards numerous projects believing that the people of West Hawai`i, both visitors and residents, deserve local access to a progressive hospital providing excellent healthcare.

About First Hawaiian Bank Foundation

First Hawaiian Bank Foundation is the charitable arm of First Hawaiian Bank, Hawaii’s oldest and largest financial institution. The Bank and its Foundation are the largest corporate contributor to charities in Hawaii, Guam and the CNMI, where the bank has operations. The Foundation provides support to non-profit organizations that address community needs in the areas of education, health and human services, and arts and culture.  Visit www.FHB.com to learn more.