REDLAND, Logan and QEII hospitals will get technology that helps doctors confirm if a patient has influenza within 30 minutes rather than 24 to 48 hours.
Health Minister Cameron Dick said $600,000 would be spent rolling out rapid point-of-care testing at 15 of the state’s largest public hospitals next year.
Faster detection was the key to improving responses to flu outbreaks and would make flu seasons easier to manage, with tests being conducted at hospitals rather than being sent off site.
“Point-of-care tests screen for influenza A and B strains and can provide results within 30 minutes,” Mr Dick said.
“This testing is very efficient and would greatly assist southside hospitals in the early diagnosis and management of people with flu.
“It will also help the hospitals manage admission and care for those who need it most.”
Rapid point-of-care testing is already in place at The Princess Alexandra Hospital.
Logan Hospital divisional director for medicine and emergency Brian Wood said rapid point-of-care testing would be of enormous benefit to emergency departments like Logan where there was a high number of walk-in presentations.
“Logan Hospital has the second busiest ED in Queensland so any strategies to help us address patient flow and free up our emergency department for the most seriously ill will make a huge difference.” Dr Wood said
“This has a flow-on effect for our medical wards which were full to capacity throughout this particularly bad flu season so a means to fast-track management and care of these patients is a significantly beneficial development.”
Mr Dick said the government would also would spend $700,000 on automated blood culture machines next year.
“These machines quickly detect infections that are spreading through the blood stream,” he said.
“This improved technology will lead to more efficient and timely diagnosis and management of bacterial infections secondary to influenza.”
