Tech boosts ICU care

26 Mar 2024

NEW devices bought for the Cairns Hospital Intensive Care Unit might weigh less than 500 grams, but the information they hold can be the difference between life and death.
Four PICCO devices bought through the QSuper Cardiac Challenge and a special lunch celebrating the life of Robyn Crossland, have now arrived and will be regularly used.
ICU Senior Staff Specialist Dr Raj Goud said the devices would be used on the sickest of patients.
“A patient is hooked up to the device that talks to the monitors we already have, and it provides a greater depth of information on the sickest of our patients,” Dr Goud said.
“They might be in multi organ failure in a complex state of shock with conditions such as severe sepsis,  after complex intra-abdominal surgery or pancreatitis, to name a few,” he said.
“What the PICCO does, that we did not have previously, is that it monitors the patient’s shock state continuously – taking data from multiple points and calculating how fast the blood is moving and where fluid is being redistributed. Previously, we could monitor this information, but only in a snapshot in time. By having the continuous flow of information, we can respond more rapidly to the patient’s condition and see what impacts our treatments are having on their function” he said. Dr Goud explained that patients admitted to the Cairns Hospital ICU are more unwell compared with many other regional and tertiary intensive care units and have overly complex issues.
“This is why this equipment is important to help us tailor our therapies to these complex patients,” he said.
Funds from a fundraising lunch held in local woman Robyn Crossland’s honour were directed to the Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation, through the QSuper Cardiac Challenge, as the equipment directly supports cardiac, as well as other patients.
Mrs Crossland was a well-known and well-loved local woman, born at Gordonvale Hospital as Robyn Mallon. After developing a strong passion for philanthropy at St Francis Xavier Primary School, she went on to raise money for Palliative Care in Gordonvale through the “Midlife Crisis Club”. Although she died in 2022, the equipment provided through the Memorial Lunch held in her honour, is a fitting tribute to her life philosophy.
Donor Mel Yelaska said he was pleased to donate to the equipment because his own family has had heart issues.
“You just never know when someone close to you might need it so it’s good to support local services like this,” Mr Yelaska said.
Foundation CEO Gina Hogan said it was heartening to hear how the $34,000 equipment came into being, but also the benefit it would bring to others.
“I’m sure no one wants to spend time as a patient in ICU, but it’s incredible to know that if we need to, they have the best equipment possible to help people return to good health, if at all possible,” Mrs Hogan said.
“We are working with clinicians to determine which equipment will be targeted from the 2024 QSuper Cardiac Challenge but people are already registering and fundraising so we’re looking forward to an amazing year,” she said.
The partnership with QSuper, part of Australian Retirement Trust, enables 100 percent of funds raised in the QSuper Cardiac Challenge to support the purchase of state-of-the-art medical equipment in the region.
Australian Retirement Trust Chief Commercial Officer Dave Woodall said, “Australian Retirement Trust is passionate about supporting our members and the community, including in rural and remote areas where we have a strong heritage.”
 “It’s incredibly rewarding for us to see the impact the funds raised for the Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation have on increasing access to vital health services in these communities,” Mr Woodall said. “The QSuper Cardiac Challenge is a great example of the community coming together to improve the outcomes of those in the region. This year is also special for Australian Retirement Trust, as we have a team participating. We look forward to cheering them, and all of the other participants on,” he said.

•    Registrations are now open for the 2024 QSuper Cardiac Challenge which will be held from September 14-16. The event is now in its 18th year and has raised more than $6 million for local cardiac and related health conditions in that time.

To find out more about the QSuper Cardiac Challenge, visit www.cardiacchallenge.com.au

Photo: Cairns Hospital Intensive Care Unit consultant Dr Raj Goud, ICU Nurse Unit Manager Gillian Tassell, Foundation CEO Gina Hogan, Robyn Crossland's friend Cheryl Campbell, Robyn's sister Patricia Mallon, Barney Crossland, and Mel and Vera Yelaska.

 

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