Whitsunday people with suspected cardiac problems now have access to more testing at Proserpine Hospital.
Cardiac Clinical Nurse Consultant Kristy Lee said the introduction of Holter monitors and Cardiac Stress Testing means people no longer have to travel to Mackay, Townsville or Brisbane.
A Holter monitor is a portable battery-operated device that measures and records activity for 24 to 48 hours to see if there are any abnormal rhythms.
The device is connected to the body through a series of electrodes on the skin.
During cardiac stress testing people exercise in a controlled environment to measure the heart’s ability to respond to external stress.
Ms Lee said about 20 patients a month were benefitting from the new service, which was introduced with support from cardiac scientists at the Royal Brisbane Women’s Hospital (RBWH) and Virtual Health staff at Mackay Base Hospital.
“Introducing the new service has been a gradual process and we are now delivering an excellent service to the community,” she said.
“We have worked closely with RBWH scientist Alice McDonald to fine-tune the process and to ensure Proserpine has all of the equipment, protocols and training to offer the new services.”
Data recorded by the Holter monitors is sent electronically to the RBWH’s cardiology department to analyse, interpret and report within 24 hours of the recording.
“The cardiologist then signs off on the results which are forwarded to the requesting doctors in the Whitsundays.
“Our aim is to capture potential cardiac problems in hospital inpatients within 24 hours of admission and also encourage referrals from GPs in the community.”
