The Lee Memorial Health System will accept $65,000 worth of new equipment and funding to improve services.

The board of directors for the health system’s foundation recently approved funding for cardiac services and nurse education.

Of the total allocation, $40,515 will be used to purchase new cardiac equipment at Health Park Medical Center, while the remaining $24,762 will provide online courses and education materials to keep nurses abreast of the best practices.

Cindy Brown, vice president of Patient Care Services at Health Park, said the facility recently expanded its emergency room to include 16 beds dedicated to cardiac patients.

“We are very excited about it,” said Brown. “Had to purchase equipment to transfer from cardiac observation to a cardiac emergency area.”

The system is purchasing SureSigns Phillips Bedside Monitors, specialized thermometers for cardiac patients and a new EKG machine that complies with standards for acute coronary syndrome care. The equipment is new, but includes items commonly found in an emergency room.

There also will be a physician caring for patients with cardiac problems, said Brown.

Funding for online education for nurses will expand programs already in place, where hundreds of courses are offered to nurses to learn more about their trade.

“The state of Florida mandated to have certain number of hours of continual education,” said Brown. “It also provides education for national certification for our nurses.”

Lee Memorial Health System Chief Foundation Officer Sharon MacDonald said cardiac care and best practices in nursing are critical to saving lives.

“We continue to seek medical excellence in all areas of our health system,” said MacDonald. “We are pleased with the board allocations and continue to rely on philanthropic support of the community to help us deliver favorable outcomes and the very latest in medical treatments and care.”