It’s all service with a smile for a team of radiologists who are providing a Visiting Radiology Service for frail rehabilitation patients.
Launched at Frankston’s Golf Links Road Rehabilitation facility earlier this year, the new service involves radiologists visiting the facility to conduct basic x-rays on patients – such as chest, pelvis or limb x-rays. It operates on demand every afternoon from Monday to Friday.
Chief Nurse for Community and Continuing Care, Sandra Tesoriero, explained, “X-rays are a crucial part in care and discharge planning for rehabilitation patients, and are important in helping us to monitor a patient’s recovery process.”
“Prior to the launch of the Service, rehabilitation patients had to have basic x-rays taken at Frankston Hospital. This meant taking a trip, in the patient transport shuttle, from the facility to the Hospital.
“Although a short trip, it could be difficult for those with limited mobility,” Sandra said.
In the last six months, more than 100 patients have already been saved the journey.
“It means more convenience and comfort for our patients, especially on the extremely cold days we have had over winter,” she added.
The Visiting Radiology Service was launched after refurbishment work was completed to develop the X-ray Room at the site.
The Room has been equipped with a $95,000 plain film x-ray machine, funded under an Equipment Grant from the Department of Health.
As an added benefit, the plain film x-ray machine links to the Health Service wide Picture Archiving Communications System (PACS). The digital-based PACS system enables x-rays to be available almost instantly to treating clinicians at any Peninsula Health site.
“For patients, this is extremely beneficial because it means less time waiting for results and faster patient treatment response and discharge times,” added Sandra.
Patients from the Palliative Care Unit and the Carinya Residential Aged Care Unit, both located at the same site, have also been able to access this service.
