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More country patients will have easier access to radiology services closer to home thanks to the installation of new equipment in several country hospitals

Teleradiology systems - computer workstations that allow images to be sent over broadband network lines - were recently installed at Exmouth, Fitzroy Crossing, Halls Creek, Busselton and Margaret River Hospitals, increasing to 35 the number of systems across the WA Country Health Service network.

WA Country Health Service Chief Executive Officer Kim Snowball said the new systems would enable doctors to diagnose and treat patients faster and reduce the need for them to travel to Perth.

“The new equipment allows medical specialists to capture, diagnose, transmit and receive images, including x-rays  , CT -Scans, MRIs and Ultrasounds, using internet communications,” he said.

“Once images have been captured they can be sent digitally to other medical specialists almost immediately meaning faster reporting by radiologists and review by medical specialists in Perth.

“The system reduces the risk of losing films and also means that many doctors around the hospital, and at other hospitals, can view the image at the same time, rather than needing to wait for films to be delivered.

“Having access to this equipment will enable patients to be diagnosed and treated faster, meaning less time spent in hospital, but it will also ensure they continue to receive the best care close to home.”

Voyager Imaging was awarded the contract for the new systems, which link the sites to the WA Picture Archiving and Communications System ( PACS ), the metropolitan online radiology network.

Radiology imaging services at Broome, Port Hedland, Albany and Kalgoorlie will also be upgraded over the next two years.

Source: http://www.health.wa.gov.au