Summary
Latest technology is supporting Central Queensland surgeons and is already saving local lives.
Teladoc system allows clinicians in Rockhampton, Gladstone, and Emerald to virtually “scrub in” and assist each other during surgical procedures.
It was used for the first time in an Australian public hospital for life-saving trauma surgery by Rockhampton surgeons who received specialist advice from Neurosurgeon Dr Craig Winter at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital.
Dr Winter contacted Rockhampton Hospital Deputy Director of Surgery, Dr Michael Lamparelli, who was in Brisbane at a social event, with news of a Rockhampton patient in need of urgent surgery, to relieve life-threatening pressure on his brain. Dr Lamparelli then linked and controlled the Teladoc device remotely from his phone to Dr Winter who was able to support local surgical staff in the Rockhampton operating theatre via the images shared to his laptop in Brisbane.
“This enabled me to 'dial in' to the operating theatre in real time and provide instruction and support to the surgeon and other theatre staff,” Dr Winter said.
“The feedback from the staff was very positive; they felt supported and thankful that a specialist could be virtually present with them during a life-saving procedure that none of them had performed previously. The availability of the equipment which allowed supervision via video call was critical to the success of the operation and ultimately the patient's life.”
Rockhampton Hospital Director of Surgery Dr Chris Lewis said it was absolutely amazing that a specialist neurological surgeon in Brisbane could provide vital advice and support to Rockhampton surgeons by video link.
“This patient would not have survived transfer to Brisbane,” Dr Lewis said.
“With that specialist advice, our team did a craniotomy, basically opening the patient’s skull, evacuated a clot to stop bleeding on the brain, saving the patient’s life.
“This would not have been possible in our regional operating theatres before Teladoc.
“It proves this new technology is already saving lives. Surgeons can now remotely provide real-time support, consultation, and specialist guidance without needing to physically travel.”
Central Queensland Health Chief Executive Lisa Blackler said the technology would reduce the need for patient transfers between hospitals, empowering local clinicians who are on the ground.
“It means patients get quicker access to care, closer to home, and it will also benefit trainee surgeons who will have access to better observing of complex procedures through live-streaming facility,” she said.
Teladoc has been introduced thanks to financial support from CQShines Hospital Foundation through community fundraising including gala balls in Gladstone and Emerald, and Gladstone Ports Corporation through a very generous $80,000 donation via the GPC Port to Park event.
“I want to thank CQ Shines, and Gladstone Ports Corporation, as well as all of those Central Queenslanders who have supported this great cause. Their work is saving lives, and it doesn’t get more important than that,” Ms Blackler said.
Pictured: Gladstone Hospital perioperative staff members with the state-of-the-art Teladoc system. From left: Clinical Nurse Julie Gorse, Director of Surgery and Senior Staff Specialist Dr Darren Lituri, Principal House Officer Anaesthesia Dr Alexander Kelly and Staff Specialist General Surgery Dr Faris Alaswad.