August 2005 Edition Of The Shepparton Advisor Monthly Column

Technology in the Hospital

Whilst many basic principles of Health care will always apply, the technological advances in both medical devices and communication systems continue to improve the clinical outcomes, reduce patient risk and increase the timeliness of access to medical results.

To ensure that Shepparton Private Hospital obtains the appropriate new technology, we work closely with the medical practitioners of the hospital and our clinical review committees to purchase equipment that provide the best clinical outcomes.

New technology recently purchased by Shepparton Private Hospital includes BIS monitoring. A BIS monitor is a non invasive machine that allows anaesthetists to measure directly a patient’s level of consciousness during surgery.

In particular it is a further monitoring device that helps the anaesthetist to:

• Administer more accurately the appropriate amount of anaesthetic agent both before and during surgery. This also having post surgery recovery benefits.
• Assess the risk of awareness of the patient during surgery. There has been much publicity in the media in recent times of awareness of patients during surgery. This technology is an aide to help reduce this occurrence.

Other recent technology equipment additions at Shepparton Private Hospital include the purchase and installation of a separate braodband IT network to allow Medical Practitioners greater access to their practices, the internet and also for faster access to diagnostic results. At Shepparton Private Hospital in combination with Focus Radiology, surgeons are now able to get a crisp and clear digital on-line view of radiology images. Previously all that was available to the surgeon was a “hardfilm” that was placed on a lightbox in theatre. Now the surgeon has access to over 20 different radiology images onlline displayed on high resolution 19” flat screen monitors.

Shepparton Private Hospital continues to look for ways to improve patient care through improved technology.

Provincial Surgeons of Australia Conference

From the 14th to 16th July, Shepparton hosted the annual Provincial Surgeons of Australia conference.
The conference brought together over 100 provincial surgeons, registrars and medical students from across Australia to discuss both clinical and regional issues affecting provincial surgeons. Shepparton Private Hospital, alongside Goulburn Valley Health, were major sponsors of the event and recognise the importance of supporting current regional surgeons and attracting new surgeons to regional areas.

The conference was a great success by all accounts.