A World-Class Care Award for Integrated Health Care has been awarded to a Central Adelaide Local Health Network (CALHN) program to treat severe emphysema with cutting-edge technology.
Head of Unit at the Department of Thoracic Medicine at CALHN, Phan Nguyen said the program, which used endobronchial valves to reduce inflated lung volumes in patients with limited treatment options, was one of the first of its kind in Australia.
“The pioneering technique has provided a much-needed treatment to many South Australians with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who would otherwise have run out of treatment options,” Professor Nguyen said.
“The program can proudly report a success rate of 80 per cent, with no deaths, greater than the best international centres who typically achieve a 70 per cent success rate,” he said.
“What I like about this program is that it’s a cutting-edge program supported by a health network with good principals behind of inclusivity – so that all patients have access to this treatment.”
Professor Nguyen said the team had treated over 50 patients at the Royal Adelaide Hospital and reduced patient reliance on therapeutic oxygen, improved lung function, improved quality of life and functional capacity.
He said the success of the program had paved the way for other public centres in Australia to build their own programs, including several hospitals in New South Wales and Victoria.
Professor Nguyen said close collaboration between thoracic medicine medical staff, nuclear medicine, radiology and nursing was key to the program’s success.
“It’s the teamwork that I’m most proud of,” he said.
“Collaboration between our medical team, radiology, nuclear medicine, referrals from all centres, not just public or private hospitals, and our nursing team are a well-oiled machine,” Professor Nguyen said.
