Alice Springs Hospital senior respiratory scientist Oliver Stokes discusses the new machine with Health Minister Steve Edgington. Photo: NT Government.
Alice Springs Hospital has received a new state-of-the-art machine, worth $100,000, which will improve the Northern Territory’s ability to treat respiratory illnesses.
The new lung machine’s functions include a new plethysmograph, which has numerous integrated diagnostic testing abilities, as well as a Fractional Exhaled Nitric Oxide (FeNO) breathing device.
Health Minister Steve Edgington said the new machine gave Alice Springs’ health professionals a greater ability to diagnose lung conditions.
“As part of our year of growth, certainty and security, the CLP Government is delivering healthcare certainty for Central Australian residents with better health infrastructure,” Mr Edgington said.
“This new equipment means the Alice Springs Hospital lung function team can now provide a broader range of respiratory tests that were not previously available. More testing means earlier detection, earlier treatment, and better care for Territorians with respiratory conditions.
“This new equipment means Territorians with suspected airway conditions, such as asthma, can now undertake airway hypersensitivity testing here in the Territory instead of being referred interstate or having to pay for private services, saving Territorians time and money.”
Mr Edgington said the machine brought the Territory’s health facilities closer in line with the capabilities of other states and territories.
The addition of a FeNO breathing device also enables health professionals to measure the level of inflammation in a patient’s airways.
Testing with the device is fast and non-invasive, and can even determine whether a patient will respond well to a particular medication or a certain dosage of a medication.
The device is portable and can be used for bed-bound patients, meaning it can be adopted in communities to determine environmental differences that can have an impact on respiratory illnesses.
“We’ve been able to perform routine lung function testing for some years, but now it’s really exciting to have access to more specialised tests in the form of FeNO testing, bronchial challenge testing, and respiratory muscle assessments,” said Alice Springs Hospital senior respiratory scientist Oliver Stokes.
“These tests mean we can better diagnose and manage a range of breathing conditions without people having to travel longer distances. It’s a big step forward for the region.”
