WITH the support of the local community, Ipswich Hospital Foundation successfully funded a new fully equipped ultrasound machine for the Emergency Department at Ipswich Hospital.
Having the most up-to-date specialist equipment can mean the difference between life and death for patients being treated in the local public hospitals.
In 2014 the Emergency Department Director Dr. Kylie Baker completed a funded 2-year $200,000 study on the use of ultrasound in the Emergency Department to make an immediate diagnosis of heart and lung presentations.
This study showed using ultrasound at that point could result in better, quicker diagnosis and reduce overall costs associated with unnecessary x-rays and longer delays in the Emergency Department.
However, as with most Emergency Departments throughout Queensland, there is usually no funding for a full ultrasound machine so most use point of care ultrasound, smaller devices with very limited functionality.
Generous community donations enabled IHF to purchase a Mindray TE9 Ultrasound machine for the Emergency Department.
The new ultrasound machine will enable the local hospital to provide patients with world-class care, swifter diagnosis, and the best possible treatment.
With the support from the local community and IHF, the Ipswich Emergency Department will be one of the few units in Queensland to have this full ultrasound capacity.
It is suitable for Abdomen/General, Obstetrics, Gynaecology, Cardiac, Small Parts, Urology, Vascular, Paediatric, Nerve, Emergency and Critical packages.
This is another example of IHF supporting good quality translational research by funding aspirational equipment that would never have been otherwise funded. the Interim CEO of IHF, Greg Jensen, said, delivering high quality care and giving patients access to the latest treatment options is paramount for the health and wellbeing of our community.
“Together with the support of our community, we will continue to fund equipment for hospitals and medical research facilities across the West Morton region.”
IHF is a trusted community partner supporting West Moreton Health to deliver safe, quality healthcare promoting community health and wellbeing.
