Redland Hospital to receive 30-minute flu test machine

Patients previously waited up to two-days for an accurate reading but rapid point-of-care machines have reduced diagnosis times.

The technology is already used at the Princess Alexandra Hospital and five other hospitals but will be rolled-out across 15 more by next month, including at the Redlands.

The machine tests swabs to confirm what strain of influenza a person is infected with.

Redland Hospital medical services acting director Dr Brian Bell said immediate diagnosis would allow staff to better manage patients.

“The testing gives a rapid diagnosis of whether a patient has the flu and what strain it is with results available within 30 minutes,” he said.

“Results previously would have taken days to receive.”

More than 200 people were admitted to Redland Hospital last year with the flu and almost half of those to its emergency department.

Health Minister Steven Miles said rapid diagnosis technology would be set-up at hospitals before this year’s season as part of a $1.3 million investment to help manage flu outbreaks.

Last year’s flu season was Australia’s biggest on record since 2009.

About 56,000 people in Queensland were diagnosed, which was double than the year previous.

Lowered vaccine effectiveness has been blamed. 

Two new vaccines have been developed to boost immunity seniors.

Flu vaccines are free for people aged 65 and over, pregnant women, most Aboriginal Australians and Torres Strait Islanders and children under five.

“Up to 300,000 kids under five will be eligible for a free flu vaccine,” Mr Miles said.

“We urge people of all ages to get vaccinated, however younger children are particularly susceptible, as we saw last year when more than 580 kids under five years old were hospitalised due to flu.

“This free vaccine will be made available through GPs and other childhood immunisation providers.”

Rapid point-of-care testing will be rolled-out at