WALLINGFORD, CT, July 30, 2020 - Gaylord Specialty Healthcare, a rehabilitation-focused nonprofit healthcare organization, announces that it has received a $40,800 COVID-relief grant from the Connecticut Health and Educational Facilities Authority (CHEFA) to help purchase COVID-related equipment.
The generous grant will be used to purchase an ultraviolet disinfecting machine and bulb refills to supplement the two units currently in use at Gaylord. Disinfection with UV light is one of the safest and quickest ways of killing bacteria and viruses throughout all areas of the hospital and the method also eliminates the need for employees to touch surfaces for deep-cleaning.
The CHEFA grant will purchase an additional “Glide scope” for exclusive use by Gaylord’s COVID-positive patient population. The “Glide scope” is a video device that helps healthcare workers see a patient’s airway during endotracheal intubation.
“As the regional leader in ventilator care and weaning, we have many patients at Gaylord on a vent due to pneumonia, COPD, or other ailments. Having an additional, dedicated Glide scope allows us not to share equipment between regular patients and COVID-positive patients, ensuring the best possible care and outcomes for all,” said Tara Knapp, Vice President of Development, Public Relations and Marketing.
“The number of individuals impacted by CHEFA’s generous funding will be significant,” she continued. “During the height of the pandemic, Gaylord’s census was among the highest in its history. This funding will not only help keep all of our patients protected but also ensure the safety of our nearly 800 employees. We thank CHEFA for their generosity and continued concern for the welfare of our patients’ and our community’s health.”
“CHEFA is proud to support Gaylord Specialty Healthcare with this grant from CHEFA’s FY 2021 CHEFA COVID-19 Grant Program. The grant will have a meaningful impact on Connecticut residents during this challenging time. CHEFA is one of only a few statewide entities providing philanthropic resources to respond to the COVID-19 crisis. We value our partnership with the nonprofit community, as we seek to facilitate important efforts addressing the pandemic” stated Jeanette W. Weldon, CHEFA’s Executive Director.
About Gaylord Specialty Healthcare: Gaylord Specialty Healthcare is a rehabilitation-focused, nonprofit health system located in Wallingford, Connecticut, that provides inpatient and outpatient care for people at every point in their journey from illness or injury to maximum recovery. Gaylord Specialty Healthcare is anchored by Gaylord Hospital, a long-term acute care hospital, and includes Gaylord Outpatient and Gaylord Physical Therapy for patients who require diagnosis and treatment on an outpatient basis. Together, these entities deliver a complete continuum of rehab care driven by technology, research, clinical experience, and human compassion. For more information visit www.gaylord.org. About CHEFA: The Connecticut Health and Education Facilities Authority (CHEFA) is a quasi-public organization that provides access to tax-exempt financing, grants and other financial assistance to educational institutions, healthcare providers, childcare providers and other qualifying 501(c)(3) organizations. CHEFA has issued over $21.3B in bonds since 1965 and awarded more than $38M in grants since 2002. CHEFA is a self-supporting entity; receiving no state funds or taxpayer dollars.