High-end Ultrasound at Cairns Hospital, Australia
Point of care ultrasound (POCUS) provides a more efficient tool for assessing urgent medical conditions compared to other diagnostic methods, significantly reducing wait times that may delay treatment in emergency situations. Broadening the scope of care in various front-line settings such as Emergency, Intensive Care, and Pain Management, Point-of-Care Ultrasound is a fast, real-time, non-invasive, and safe imaging method.
The adoption of the latest high-end point of care ultrasound - Mindray TEX20 at Cairns Hospital in Queensland, Australia, successfully demonstrates how the technology empowers emergency clinicians to better manage challenges such as limited resources, diverse patient population, and insufficient follow-up care.
The time-sensitive and complex nature of emergency care requires rapid assessment, diagnosis, and treatment due to the acute and potentially life-threatening conditions that may present.
Human "X-Ray Vision"
North Queensland's remote and rural communities face significant health disparities and limited access to specialist services, which can complicate healthcare delivery. Point of care ultrasound can enhance the efficiency and accuracy of diagnoses, bridging the gap in healthcare services in these areas.
"If you have ultrasound, it's like having a window looking into the workings of a patient. It's like having your own X-Ray vision."
Dr Katrina Starme, Emergency Specialist, Cairns Hospital
United to Define Better Emergency Care
Successful collaboration between hospitals and industry partners hinges on open communication, aligning goals, and a mutual focus on patient care and outcomes.
"Industry partnership can help improve education scenarios by providing effective high-fidelity equipment. This translates to improved patient safety and quality of care."
Linton Harriss, Skills Centre Lead, Cairns Hospital
"It's important that we have a good partnership for servicing, for ongoing education, and also giving feedback regarding some of the software and hardware improvements that we would like to see in the future."
Dr Raed Khuffash, Emergency Physician, Cairns Hospital
20 Minutes Can Be Critical in Emergency Situations
Emergency ultrasound is utilised to answer specific clinical questions and diagnose conditions such as internal bleeding, collapsed lungs, or heart failure. Point of care ultrasound allows clinicians to promptly initiate appropriate treatments, thereby enhancing long-term patient outcomes.
"Clinicians use ultrasound to answer specific clinical questions, extending their examination of the patient. Point-of-care ultrasound is essential for time-critical situations like ruptured AAA or ectopic pregnancy, enabling quick diagnosis."
Dr Luke Wheatley, Emergency Staff Specialist, Cairns Hospital
Source: Mindray Website