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PXT in trauma care may save lives
PXT in trauma care may save lives
Waikato Hospital's trial of mobile phone PXT-ing for emergency and trauma patients has potentially saved four lives in only three months.
Led by Waikato Hospital's Director of Trauma, Dr Grant Christey, and supported by Vodafone New Zealand, the trial of PXT in medical care is believed to be a first for New Zealand.
"Trauma care and emergency care relies on doctors being able to share information and images quickly and accurately. The doctors used PXT when they perceived it was the best communication tool available to them to, at the end of the day, save patients lives" says Dr Christey.
The trauma surgery and neurosurgery registrars involved in emergency trauma care were armed with PXT capable 3G phones. As well as routine thorough clinical assessment of trauma patients, they took PXTs of key CT and x-ray images and other clinical signs and sent them to consultants for immediate review. Routine trauma imaging processes were also used and all images were treated as being part of the patients' confidential medical records.
During the trial in the trauma and emergency departments, 78 images were used to assist patient care. Of these 4 (five per cent) were classified as potentially life saving and 68 (87 per cent) led to a change in clinical management.
19 images (24 per cent) changed management to a major degree, 51 (65 per cent changed patient care to a minor degree).
"Using PXT as a communication method has become a welcome addition to our tool kit – particularly when geographic isolation is an issue. It gives our doctors the ability to immediately exchange critical clinical information irrespective of where they are. Early, high-level decisions then allow us to make rational, comprehensive plans for the benefit of our severely injured patients".
Vodafone's head of region for Waikato, Graham Mearns says the whole Vodafone team was behind Grant and his idea, and are proud to have donated the 'air time' to make this trial happen.
"Grant and I both passionately believed there was potential to use technology to save patients lives and improve efficiencies in trauma. It's a great feeling knowing that work you've done in the Telco space has (potentially) saved lives" he says.
The system has become an important component of the Neurosurgical and Trauma Services at Waikato Hospital and has remained in daily use after completion of the trial.
Since the trial, several other acute surgical services and wound care services provided by district nurses are investigating the use of PXT to assist with off site diagnosis and care.
About the trial • The trial ran from December 2006 to March 2007 and was run by Dr Grant Christey at Waikato District Health Board
• Seven doctors were issued with 3G phones
• Vodafone provided access to PXT, TXT and calling services
• Believed to be first of its kind in New Zealand
Results
Outcomes related to phone use were graded according to their impact
ends
Waikato District Health Board
Healthy People. Excellent Care
Waikato District Health Board (DHB) employs over 6500 people and plans, funds and provides hospital and health services to more than 391,770 people in a region covering eight per cent of New Zealand.
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