The Lawler Labor Government is investing in top quality equipment for cardiac care in the Big Rivers Region.
In an Australian first, Katherine Hospital now has a rapid cardiac testing equipment in the Emergency Department (ED) to diagnose chest pain within minutes.
The new Siemens Healthineers Atellica VTLi POC technology offers rapid and accurate heart attack testing directly at the patient's bedside, delivering results in just eight minutes, whereas laboratory testing can take hours to have results.
The new equipment streamlines the process of diagnosing chest pain and ensures patients receive timely treatment, producing test results close to the diagnostic and analytical accuracy of instruments found in main centre laboratories.
The availability of this test at Katherine Hospital enables doctors to arrange urgent cardiac attention and transportation if needed. It also means the treating team can promptly rule out patients not having a heart attack, allowing them to be sent home sooner.
The Lawler Labor Government has invested $31,000 in this state-of-the-art equipment that can offer accurate and fast results for the Big Rivers Region.
Attributable to Minister for Health Selena Uibo:
"The Lawler Labor Government is investing in modern technology to offer Territorians the best care possible right across the Territory.
"This new state-of-the-art technology means that Territorians living in regional and remote communities around the Big Rivers region can have certainty within minutes and receive prompt care.
"Since coming to government, Territory Labor have invested in new CT Scanners in Katherine and Gove Hospitals, and a new PET scanner and Cyclotron in Royal Darwin Hospital."
Attributable to Head of Point of Care (POC), Siemens Healthineers ANZ, Sabrina Koetsier:
"The rollout of the technology signifies a revolution in point-of-care testing for the Australian healthcare system and a potential solution to bringing equitable cardiac care to regional and remote areas.
"The Atellica® VTLi Analyser equips clinicians at the Katherine Hospital with life-changing technology at the point-of-care.
"This technology offers the opportunity to revolutionise treatment for all Big Rivers Region residents who present with chest pain."
Northern Territory Government
