Annual Report 2008-09 - Austin Health

Pictured opposite: Dr Michael Geluk,
consultant, Emergency Department,
with patient Rebecca Purvis
ACCREDITATION
In addition to the organisation-wide
survey successfully conducted by the
Australian Council on Healthcare
Standards, Austin Health underwent a
variety of accreditation assessments
at a teaching and training level. This
year a number of surgical specialties
practised at Austin Health underwent
external review. A highlight was the five
years accreditation for cardiothoracic
surgery, an increase from a single year’s
accreditation previously. This recognition
reflected the efforts of the Cardiac
Surgery Department in promoting the
teaching and training aspects of this
specialty. Austin Pathology received
three years full accreditation as a
category GX Laboratory, the highest
level attainable, with the National
Association of Testing Authorities.
FACILITY IMPROVEMENTS
Ongoing physical upgrades and the
installation of new equipment continued
to meet increasing demand for
diagnostic services. To improve radiology
services, a Magnetic Resonance Imaging
1.5T unit at Austin Hospital was replaced
in September. A large new angiography
suite was completed in April. It includes
a bi-plane angiography unit installed
in May. This new equipment provides
sharp, high-resolution images that
enable radiologists to see microscopic
blood vessels in great detail. The system
features two x-ray machines positioned
at 90-degree angles that provide two
different views simultaneously.
A Targeted Equipment Program
grant funded the installation of digital
fluoroscopy rooms in the Radiology
Department at Austin Hospital. The
digital system delivers advantages
over analogue systems such as direct
transmission of data and detailed reports
as well as the capacity to store the
images electronically on the hospitalwide
system.
A mammography room was installed
in Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital’s
Radiology Department to accommodate
a new digital mammogram unit that
delivers improved imaging of dense
tissue. The upgraded equipment allows
radiologists to view and manipulate
images on a computer screen to study
areas of interest in detail, without the
need for extra x-rays. Patients will
benefit from improved accuracy of
biopsies and fewer mammograms.
In conjunction with the new digital
machines, three new ultrasounds
came online in June.
Following a grant from DHS of
$4 million, a new cyclotron - a particle
accelerator used to make the positronemitting
radioisotopes required for
PET scans - came online in August. As
the most sophisticated and advanced
cyclotron in Australia, it is capable
of accelerating H- ions up to 18MeV
and D- ions up to 9MeV. Its increased
production capacity is projected to
allow enough daily production of radioisotopes
for the next 15-20 years for
both the Centre for PET, and potentially
other hospitals in Victoria. Importantly,
it gives the Centre for PET the capability
to produce a suite of novel PET tracers,
critical for research activities, which
cannot be accessed elsewhere in
Australia. The Centre for PET research
projects received a boost with the
addition of a research-only PET camera,
funded by Bayer Schering Pharma.
PATHOLOGY
A redevelopment of the Pathology
Department’s facilities commenced,
with stage one of its construction
underway. The facility will house better
patient areas and new and enhanced
testing facilities. Pathology research
and diagnostics on-site will be possible
with the establishment of a molecular
diagnostics laboratory. The lab will
enable Austin Health to undertake
the timely, cost-effective diagnostics
of various illnesses. It also opens
the way for research into the genetic
characteristics of diseases and the ways
in which they respond to pharmacological
treatments and other therapies.
PHARMACY
The opening of The Surgery Centre
in July created additional demand
for comprehensive clinical pharmacy
services. A dedicated pharmacist is
based within the centre to administer
pharmacy services to the in-patient unit
and the operating suite.
As oral chemotherapy agents become
more widely available, patients prefer
to take chemo pills at home rather than
visit hospital for an intravenous infusion.
Although more convenient for patients,
the orally-delivered drugs carry the same
risks as parenteral chemotherapy. In
response, the Pharmacy Department
developed a protocol and procedure for
the supply of oral chemotherapy
for patients.
The aged care pharmacy team undertook
several projects designed to improve
the care of frail, older people who
are commonly prescribed multiple
medications. To further support safe
medication use by the elderly, a joint
Austin Health-Monash University aged
care pharmacist position was formalised.
This position will strengthen existing
teaching and research links between the
hospital and the university’s Faculty of
Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.
Austin Health : 2008-09 ANNUAL REPORT
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