Instant feedback for endoscopy patients

Source: http://phnews.org.au/

19/07/23

Imagine being able to get a copy of test results immediately after a visit to your local hospital.

That is now a reality for people in regional northwest Victoria, thanks to a new recording system installed at Mildura Private Hospital.

Patients undergoing an endoscopy can receive doctors’ notes and images taken during the procedure, as the technology gathers and links data and stores it in a centralised database.

The Endobase system also helps specialists comply with colonoscopy care standards and reduces time spent manually entering data after a procedure.

Specialist General Surgeon Dr Jim Tryfonopoulos was the first to use the new system at Mildura Health Private Hospital, where he is one of five proceduralists who perform endoscopies.

“Within a few seconds of a report from a gastroscopy or colonoscopy being generated, it can be sent off, which certainly helps with information flow,” said Dr Tryfonopoulos, who performs around 30 endoscopies every week.

“Previously, we had to do two reports – one handwritten and one on the computer, whereas this will be one centralised system which is a lot more efficient.”

Endoscopies are commonly performed to investigate cancers, ulcers, bleeding and abdominal pain, with a small camera inserted into the body via a thin tube.

Acting Nurse Unit Manager Linda Stone said patients could now immediately receive photographs, videos and information from their procedure.

“The system can formulate a patient letter, allowing a patient to go home with the actual report from their endoscopy,” she said.

“It also provides more accuracy. For example, if the surgeon comes across any polyps, they can accurately document where it is in the colon and record exactly where it is removed.”

The new system has helped Mildura Private Hospital to achieve the Colonoscopy Clinical Care Standard for accreditation and will be instrumental in gaining better outcomes for patients.

“Further down the track, the surgeon can do a repeat colonoscopy and go back and look at those specific areas to do a comparison,” Ms Stone added.

“Previously, they would not have the photos unless the surgeon brought them along with them.”