A new blood testing machine at a Mackay hospital could save lives and reduce the need for patients to go to the ICU, according to an intensive care specialist.
The Rotational Thromboelastometry machine (ROTEM) determines the exact blood products patients need to stop immense bleeding and is the first of its kind in regional Queensland.
Health Service Scientist Ross Martin said the $38,000 machine would predominantly be used for traumatic amputations and post-partum haemorrhages, and would help save the lives of patients.
"It measures exactly how the blood clots in real time and the clinicians can see what the product is that the patient needs to be transfused," Mr Martin said.
Improving hospital efficiency
Mr Martin said before the new machine, patients were given multipacks of blood products in large volumes, some of which were unnecessary.
"Now with this machine they could easily be identified as needing sole products with less volume in it."
"The volume that's transfused to the patient is much less, which has a better enhancement on life for the patient.
The Mackay Hospital and Health Service said the machine could reduce the use of blood products by up to 75 per cent.
Intensive care specialist Doctor Anni Paasilahti said the new machine will help preserve patients' own blood, reducing the risk of complications.
"Different blood products have different problems and can cause reactions and injury and even long-term implications for the patient," Dr Paasilahti said.
"Patients will probably stay less time in the hospital, they may not ever need to come to ICU as a result of not needing so much blood."
Dr Paasilahti said the machine was much needed with up to two large traumas in the region each month, and four major traumas a year.
However she stressed it could also be used for other conditions, saying it had already been used five times so far at the Mackay Base Hospital for surgical and obstetric bleeds, road trauma and to check the blood of a patient who was bitten by a brown snake.
