Centre for Rural Emergency Medicine

Out of hours radiology

 

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Introduction

 

Although Rural Emergency Departments operate 24 hours a day, not all hospital resources can do the same. In order to maximize the number of daytime radiographers, a reduced service is often in place after hours. Deciding to call in a radiographer at night may reduce the number of radiographers available the next day.

 

Unfortunately there is little research to base out of hours radiology guidelines on. Nobody really knows which images can be safely delayed until morning. The best that can be done is to see what has worked in other rural hospitals.

 
Last Updated on Monday, 11 April 2011 10:18
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February 2012

Point of Care Troponin  ( POCT)  Brief

The Department of Health with South West Healthcare Warrnambool support have engaged on a six month pilot study followed by evaluation to trial Point of Care Troponin ( POCT) testing in emergency departments or urgent care centres in seven health services. Heywood, Portland, Moyne, Warrnambool, Camperdown, Terang and Timboon are the pilot sites.
POCT testing hopes to improve outcomes for patients by:

  • Faster results
  • Faster treatment
  • Better patient flow

The overall aim is to introduce an acute coronary syndrome pathway to Southwest Victoria and evaluate its impact by improving access to evidence-based acute and follow-up cardiac care through the provision of:

  • Agreed clinical pathway for chest pain.
  • Introduce POCT testing.
  • Improved access to a specialist cardiology advice line.
  • Education for medical and nursing staff.
  • Adherence to cardiac guidelines.
  • Cardiac nurse facilitator.

Project Lead:  Dr. Tim Baker
Project Coordination:  Integrated Cardiovascular Clinical network. Dr. Phil Tideman as Clinical Director and Rosy Tirimacco as the Network Operations and Research Manager.
Clinical Support:  Geelong Hospital Cardiology Dr. Sandy Black.
Project Support:  Victorian Cardiac Clinical Network

Margaret Bull. Cardiac Clinical Facilitator

The Department of Health with South West Healthcare Warrnambool support have engaged on a six month pilot study followed by evaluation to trial Point of Care Troponin ( POCT) testing in emergency departments or urgent care centres in seven health services. Heywood, Portland, Moyne, Warrnambool, Camperdown, Terang and Timboon are the pilot sites.

POCT testing hopes to improve outcomes for patients by:

·        Faster results

·        Faster treatment

·        Better patient flow

The overall aim is to introduce an acute coronary syndrome pathway to Southwest Victoria and evaluate its impact by improving access to evidence-based acute and follow-up cardiac care through the provision of:

·        Agreed clinical pathway for chest pain.

·        Introduce POCT testing.

·        Improved access to a specialist cardiology advice line.

·        Education for medical and nursing staff.

·        Adherence to cardiac guidelines.

·        Cardiac nurse facilitator.

Project Lead:  Dr. Tim Baker

Project Coordination:  Integrated Cardiovascular Clinical network. Dr. Phil Tideman as Clinical Director and Rosy Tirimacco as the Network Operations and Research Manager.

Clinical Support:  Geelong Hospital Cardiology Dr. Sandy Black.

Project Support:  Victorian Cardiac Clinical Network

 

Margaret Bull. Cardiac Clinical Facilitator
Last Updated on Tuesday, 07 February 2012 08:40
 
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Media Releases

19 April 2011, 12.56
Farmers with acute chest pain are uncertain how and when to seek help April 2011 A pilot study of the prevalence of cardiac risk factors in a group of agricultural workers and of their decision-making abilities with regard to

Resources

14 February 2011, 14.04
Resources
Resources Dealing with medical emergencies in rural areas is a little different from dealing with those same conditions in a large urban hospital, and sometimes city guidelines just do not make sense in isolated hospitals.