Research funding delivers boost for Townsville renal dialysis patients

Townsville dialysis patients are set to benefit from faster and more efficient care thanks to the donation of a new SonoSite ultrasound machine to the renal dialysis unit at Townsville University Hospital.

Donated by Townsville Hospital and Health Service’s research team through renal tele-trial funding from the Queensland Regional Clinical Trials Coordinating Centre (QRCCC), the portable ultrasound machine is already making a difference for local patients.

Townsville Hospital and Health Service Director of Clinical Research Professor Andrew Mallett said the donation highlighted the tangible benefits research and clinical trials deliver for north Queensland patients.

“As a renal physician, a few of the patients I care for don’t actually live in Townsville, they live in regional areas across the region,” Professor Mallett said.

“This device has certainly helped them and, importantly, helped them return quickly and efficiently to their home communities after receiving treatment.

“Our health service sees clinical trials as a key part of our research, with partnerships like this helping turn research activity and clinical trial funding into equipment that supports better care for patients every day.”

Renal nurse researcher Belinda Elford said the delivery of the machine to the renal unit was a proud moment for the team.

“My passion, like so many of my colleagues, is kidney disease, and through clinical trials we can make a real difference to our patients’ health outcomes,” Ms Elford said.

“This donation has been made possible due to the increased growth of clinical trials in the renal research space and were fortunate enough to receive funding from QRCCC through our tele-trials.”

Consultant nephrologist Dr Vikas Srivastava said the machine would allow the renal unit to deliver faster care without relying on scans through the radiology department.

“This machine is capable of monitoring and planning the life-saving treatment patients receive in dialysis, particularly in the form of getting a fistula created,” Dr Srivastava said.

“It’s also helping identify problems for patients in real time and has cut short the time from diagnosis to treatment in a big way.”

Dialysis patient Andrea Jacobson, who receives haemodialysis treatment at Townsville University Hospital, said the new equipment would make a major difference for patients and staff alike.

“I think it’s tremendous; just looking at it, the difference between the new one and the old one is huge and I’m sure it must life a lot easier for the staff,” she said.

The donation coincides with International Clinical Trials Day on May 20, which celebrates the role clinical trials play in improving health outcomes around the world.

Research Manager Trudie Harris said the donation highlighted the importance of translating research into frontline patient care.

“This is exactly what we aim for in clinical trials; translation into clinical practice and, first and foremost, translation into patient benefits,” Ms Harris said.

Queensland Regional Clinical Trials Coordinating Centre Assistant Director of Nursing Melanie Poxton said tele-trials were helping improve equitable access to healthcare for regional, rural and remote patients.

“We are the statewide team for delivering clinical trials and ensuring regional, rural and remote patients have equity of access with their metropolitan counterparts, and anything we can do to help patients spend less time in hospital and more time at home is incredibly important,” Ms Poxton said.