Rotary donates to local child care centers

MT. PLEASANT — In memory of the late Dr. Michael Fitzpatrick of Iris Dental, Mt. Pleasant Evening Rotary Club made donations of LifeVac devices to local child care facilities throughout Henry County.

According to Rotarian Calvin Litwiller, the club donated multiple LifeVac Rescue Suction Devices to child care centers in Mt. Pleasant, New London, Winfield, and Wayland with a donation received from late Rotarian Fitzpatrick.

These devices, according to literature provided by Rotary, are nonpowered, non-invasive, single-use only airway clearance devices used in case following current choking protocols are not successful.

In instances of a child choking, common practice encourages using the Heimlich maneuver, Tongue-jaw Lift, and CPR.

According to LifeVac, these devices create a one-way suction which helps remove lodged food or objects obstructing airways.

Mt. Pleasant Childcare Manager Ivet Rodriguez expressed her gratitude for the donation of two LifeVac devices, last week.

Despite child care staff having CPR certifications, Rodriguez said, “We talked to our nurse consultant, and she said that was good that we did that as well.”

This particular donation is especially useful for this demographic as the State of Iowa Department of Healthy Human Services states, “ “Children under 4 years of age are at the greatest risk of choking.”

“Although children under age 4 are the most at risk for choking on food and small objects, youngsters in their middle years can choke,” the Healthy Children’s organization says.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com