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NSW Ambulance has launched a trial utilising advanced technology for the swift assessment and triage of stroke patients during transportation to hospitals. This initiative sees the introduction of the Medfield Diagnostics Strokefinder MD100 helmet, a state-of-the-art brain scanner, by NSW Ambulance paramedics in the Hunter region. This marks the inaugural deployment of Strokefinder helmet technology in frontline emergency response scenarios, extending beyond conventional hospital settings.
The trial, endorsed by the Minister for Regional Health, aims to expedite stroke diagnosis and treatment, potentially enhancing patient outcomes by ensuring timely interventions within the critical ‘golden hour’. The Minister underscored the importance of prompt assessment and treatment in stroke cases, emphasising the potential life-saving impact of early intervention.
The NSW Ambulance Commissioner highlighted the efficiency of the technology, noting its ability to conduct multiple brain measurements within a minute. The Commissioner noted the collaborative nature of the study, involving intensive care paramedics, neurologists from John Hunter Hospital, and the Hunter Medical Research Institute. The trial integrates the Strokefinder MD100 helmet with an innovative telehealth application, enabling paramedics to consult with neurology specialists in real-time to optimise patient care.
Leading the study is an Acute Stroke Services Neurologist at John Hunter Hospital who stressed the importance of rapid and accurate diagnosis in stroke management, highlighting the need for seamless coordination between clinicians and researchers to refine frontline care protocols.
Preliminary data from the trial showcased promising efficiency, with nearly all patients undergoing scanning within an hour of the emergency call. The Minister for Medical Research hailed these findings as noteworthy, particularly considering the historically low rate of stroke patients receiving timely hospital CT scans in Australia.
A 27-year-old gym owner from Newcastle shared his experience benefiting from the trial after suffering an ischaemic stroke. His swift treatment within the ‘golden hour’, facilitated by the Strokefinder MD100 scan and telehealth app, played a crucial role in his remarkable recovery.
The Minister for the Hunter stressed the trial’s significance in addressing the heightened risk of stroke among regional Australians. In the Hunter New England Health District, where approximately 1500 residents experience strokes annually, such initiatives hold immense importance in improving healthcare outcomes.
The Member for Wallsend commended the involvement of John Hunter Hospital clinicians in the trial, highlighting the contribution of the region’s healthcare professionals to frontline research aimed at enhancing stroke care.
The collaborative effort between NSW Ambulance, Hunter New England Local Health District, Medfield Diagnostics, Hunter Medical Research Institute, and Titan Neuroscience Research Australia signifies a concerted commitment to advancing stroke care through technological innovation. Anticipation surrounds the forthcoming trial results, slated for release later this year, which hold the potential to reshape stroke management protocols and improve patient outcomes on a global scale.
About a year ago, the NSW government announced that emergency department nurses in NSW were undergoing real-time stroke care training through a new virtual reality (VR) programme. The initiative was implemented in 27 hospitals across the state, aiming to enhance response times and treatment outcomes for stroke patients.
The VR training simulated real-life scenarios, particularly benefiting nurses in smaller hospitals with limited exposure to stroke cases. Notably, regional areas such as Tweed, Dubbo, and Wagga Wagga, along with major hospitals like Royal North Shore, participated in the programme.
The programme was designed to complement the NSW Telestroke Service, providing rapid stroke diagnoses and treatment consultations in rural settings. The TACTICS VR stroke training programme is a collaboration between the Agency for Clinical Innovation and the University of Newcastle’s Centre for Advanced Training Systems, aiming to improve patient care through innovative technology.
