Logan Hospital has welcomed the very first Emergency Department Ultrasound program in South-East Queensland, which enables doctors to diagnose patients faster. Dr Scott Stirling, staff specialist at Logan Hospital’s Emergency Department said the hospital is now one of three ultrasound special skills posts in Queensland, with a total of 11 Australia-wide. “The Ultrasound Training program trains experienced doctors in providing on-the-spot ultrasound services to our patients,” Dr Stirling said. “The program trains doctors who are skilled in making emergency medicine diagnoses and completing procedures in a safe and effective manner using point-of-care (portable) ultrasound. “With this technology we are able to perform ultrasounds at the bedside the moment the patient arrives. “It enables clinicians to obtain that critical piece of information instantly, allowing us to diagnose patients at the bedside rather than sending them for a formal scan, which can take a considerable amount of time. With critically ill patients, we have to act fast to treat their injuries or illnesses.” Logan Hospital’s first ED Ultrasound trainee, Dr Tunga Batiya said point-of-care ultrasound can be used in both stable and unstable patients. “It may also be performed at the same time as a physical examination, resuscitation and stabilisation,” Dr Batiya said. “Point-of-care, or portable, ultrasound can be used to great effect to place cannulas (intravenous lines), perform nerve blocks, drain abscesses, reduce fractures and place central lines. “If a patient had a serious puncture injury to the heart, we can diagnose fluid around the heart instantly and act immediately.” Dr Stirling said they continue to see an increase in demand for ultrasound services within the community and introducing ultrasound training will go a long way in improving patient outcomes. “The program is set up for advanced trainees training in Emergency Medicine as a special skills post, Dr Stirling said. “Point-of-care ultrasound is fast, safe, accurate, inexpensive, efficient and non-invasive and causes no risk of radiation to the patient. “Portable ultrasound really is the future of emergency medicine. We likely will not be using stethoscopes in the future but rather portable ultrasounds to diagnose and treat patients.” Photo: Dr Scott Stirling and Dr Tunga Batiya with the portable ultrasound, Logan Hospital ED
Posted on: Wed, 17 Dec 2014 07:15:00 +0000
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