Equipment Purchased

Blood Gas Analyser – Paediatric Emergency Department

The analysis of blood samples plays a pivotal role in the management of unwell or deteriorating patients. There are few places where this is more important than the Paediatric Emergency Department. When time is of the essence the equipment required to perform these tests must be close at hand and available for immediate use. The opportunity to purchase the latest generation blood gas analyser has provided this ability, with emergency staff no longer needing to take samples to a laboratory at another location within the hospital, with the potential time delays that this may introduce. Being the latest technology, this unit performs the analysis far quicker than other similar machines and can handle very small volume blood samples. It also is connected to the hospitals computerised record keeping system so that clinicians can view the results wherever and whenever they need them. The unit purchased for the WCH was a Radiometer brand, model ABL 90 flex plus, valued at around $25,000.

Vital Signs Monitors

Many patients within the WCH need to be under close observation and there are a range of what are referred to as a patient’s “vital signs” that are monitored. These are key physiological parameters which clinical staff need to regularly record as an indication of patients progress or management. They include blood pressure and the concentration of oxygen within the blood, known as oxygen saturation. Blood pressure is measured by placing a cuff around the arm, that is inflated with measurements being made electronically whilst the cuff is subsequently deflated. Oxygen saturation can be determined by simply attaching a small probe to the patient, usually on a finger, that measures transmitted light and calculates the oxygen levels. For convenience these units can be combined into a single portable unit called a vital signs monitor. These can be taken from bed to bed whilst a clinician is doing routine observations, or left attached to a patient that requires some closer monitoring for short period of time. Auxiliary funding was utilised to purchase a number of Welch Allyn brand Connex CVSM vital signs monitors at $4,500 each.

Cardiotocographs

During childbirth it is critical to monitor the status of the soon to be born baby. One of the important parameters is the foetal heart rate, particularly because the manner in which this heart rate is affected by the mother’s contractions is an excellent indicator of the baby’s status. The heart rate can be measured using an ultrasound transducer that is able to detect the activity of the foetal heart and contractions can be recorded using a sensor that is attached to the mother’s abdomen. These two measures are combined into a single unit called a cardiotocograph or CTG. The information can be displayed on a screen, printed onto paper and connected to the hospital’s electronic recording system for safe keeping and later reference. The system purchased also has the added advantage of a wireless connection to the measurement transducers that allows the mother-to-be to move around freely whilst still being monitored without needing to be attached to the CTG with cables. The units for the WCH purchased were the Philips brand Avalon model and more than $30,000 each.

Anaesthetic Machine

The delivery of anaesthetic agents is a complex and critical part of patient management during surgical procedures. Typically anaesthetic gases need to be delivered to the patient in carefully controlled doses, with a range of parameters being monitored to ensure that this is occurring adequately. During anaesthesia the patient will require assistance with their breathing; a ventilator is therefore required to perform this function. All of the required technology is incorporated into a single system known as an anaesthetic machine. The hospital utilised Auxiliary funds to purchase a compact machine that could be used to anaesthesia children in a more calming environment outside of the operating theatre itself.

The unit purchased for the WCH was a Drager brand Fabius Tiro model valued at around $30,000.

Infusion Pumps

The delivery of intravenous fluids is an important part of many patients treatment. There is often a large number of these required per patient, depending upon the range of medications and other fluids that must be infused. The days are almost gone of simply using a “drip”, which is a simple gravity feed system, as a means of delivery. Infusion pumps are used that have the ability to precisely deliver a volume of fluid over a preset time at a carefully controlled rate. These devices include a range of alarms that are designed to detect problems that may compromise the fluid delivery and alert the clinician. The majority of the infusion pumps within the hospital can only deliver a single infusion at a time. Due to the large number of IV lines required by some patients, the need was to purchase pumps that could handle multiple infusions simultaneously, in this case…three. A number of Baxter brand Colleague pumps were purchased specifically for use in our Oncology facility. These pumps cost $7,500 each

Pressure Relieving Mattress

The development of pressure injuries or ulcers is of major concern for long term patients or others whose skin may be compromised such as burns sufferers. These develop when there are constant pressure points between the patient and the mattress on which they are lying. The solution to this is to use a special mattress that comprises a large number air filled cells that can be inflated or deflated to ensure that the pressure is re-distributed regularly. These mattresses may also sense areas of high pressure and adjust themselves accordingly. Funding was provided to purchase a specialised mattress, specifically suited to burns victims that are a particularly vulnerable group. It is an Arjo Huntleigh brand Therakair Visio, the cost was $13,000, this model is certainly at the top end of clinical functionality.

Slit Lamp

When a patient arrives in the Paediatric Emergency Department with an eye injury or symptoms, it is important that a comprehensive examination of the eye is promptly undertaken. The main piece of equipment used to do this is called a slit lamp. It comprises a light source to illuminate the eye appropriately, magnifying lenses so that the clinician can get a detailed view of all of the eye’s structures and a head rest system so that the patient can remain still and comfortable throughout the examination. The precision unit purchased was of the Haag Streit brand, model BM900 valued at approximately $20,000.

Synoptophore

This is an instrument that is used to perform a number of tests on children’s eyesight, particularly related to the imbalance of muscles controlling the eyes that may affect their ability their binocular vision. As with many childhood conditions early and effective diagnosis and treatment leads to the best outcomes, and the synoptophore facilitates both of these. A precision Haag Streit brand unit was purchased at a cost of $15,000