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The Ramsay Way - 03 - 2016

The Ramsay Way 2016 | 03 17 Breakthrough advancement in glaucoma treatment at Short Street Gold Coast patients will be the first to benefit from a new micro procedure to treat the debilitating eye condition glaucoma. The Glaukos iStent inject has recently been approved by the Australian Therapeutics Goods Administration for use in combination with cataract surgery for the reduction of intraocular pressure in patients with glaucoma and ocular hypertension. The device and surgical procedure, belonging to the group of procedures called micro-invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS), was first performed in Australia by leading ophthalmologist Dr Frank Howes at the Eye and Laser Centre Gold Coast. “The iStent inject represents an important new advancement in the management for glaucoma for our patients,” Dr Howes said. “Because it is less disruptive to the corneal surface, it potentially reduces or eliminates the patient’s need for daily, multi-dose, topical glaucoma medications or complex surgeries, with an excellent safety profile.” Expansion of Sleep Service at Mitcham Private Hospital The Mitcham Private Sleep Centre has been operating since 1998 and has recently expanded its capacity from three to six beds to accommodate the growing demand for sleep studies. “This is the smallest FDA-approved device for the treatment of glaucoma and, because it is minimally invasive, it spares vital conjunctival tissue for possible future standard glaucoma operations, should these ever become necessary,” Dr Howes explained. According to Glaucoma Australia, glaucoma is the second leading cause of vision loss worldwide, behind cataracts, with more than 300,000 people in Australia suffering from glaucoma. “This is one of the most exciting breakthroughs for Australian ophthalmic surgeons and our patients in a very long time,” Dr Howes said. Nambour Selangor expands its portfolio of solutions Nambour Selangor Private Hospital Is the latest Queensland hospital in the Ramsay Health Care group to introduce the holmium laser for the treatment of Urinary tract Calculi, delivering a safe, efficient and advanced solution for patients. CPR Nowra Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) is a critical lifesaving skill that requires regular updates and exposure to practical training When an opportunity to improve the CPR access for the medical fraternity of the South Coast presented itself, Nowra Private Hospital (NPH) was receptive and keen to give wholehearted support. In conjunction with South Coast Simulation, a group of local GPs have recently completed a Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) accredited three hour ‘hands on’ Advanced CPR session at NPH Education Centre. The course participants, having had a skill refresher on airway management and defibrillators, spent time working through a series of scenarios based on typical GP presentations using life like, breathing, pulsing manikins and live defibrillators. It is hoped that the opportunity exists to make these small group sessions available to the medical community further down the coast in the future satisfying the requirements of the RACGP and Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine CPD. Dr Murad Ibrahim, Medical Director for the Sleep Centre, said, “Sleep disorders are a major public health problem and have a huge impact on a person's overall health. The availability of a high quality sleep services lab in the local community is important.” At the Sleep Centre patients have access to overnight sleep studies of the highest international standard whether they are privately insured, DVA or self-funded. The centre is supported by a team of experienced, accredited sleep and respiratory physicians, technicians and nursing staff. The lab features the latest high-powered sleep analysis Compumedics digital recording systems together with modern hotel style accommodation and facilities. Reports are available to the specialist within 24 – 48 hours of the completion of the study and can be accessed remotely. The centre operates seven nights a week, offering short waiting times and access to early appointments for patients. Linda Allen, CEO, said, “Patients don’t need to take any time off work to undergo a sleep study. Following their overnight study patients can shower, enjoy a self-serve breakfast and go home or go to work at their usual time”. HOSPITAL NEWS Glaukos iStent inject. The laser effectively fragments stones of any composition or size throughout the urinary tract and allows access to what has previously been a challenging area for surgeons. It is particularly effective for optimal Lithotripsy outcomes for all patients. Theatre staff under the lead of Trevor Dempsey, Nurse Unit Manager, underwent specialist laser training and developed a comprehensive laser safety plan to assist urologists and meet the technical and safety requirements of the new technology. During Laser Lithotripsy procedures, the use of Holmium lasers and fibers enables localized energy delivery without damage to surrounding tissue for a safe and effective procedure. Additional benefits of the new technology include energy settings that can be varied to control the fragmentation rate and negate the possibility of stone movement (retropulsion), thereby enhancing patient outcomes. Sleep & Respiratory Physician, Dr Murad Ibrahim.


The Ramsay Way - 03 - 2016
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