Queensland’s digital hospitals improving patient care

Technology is revolutionising the speed and accuracy of patient care across Queensland thanks to the Palaszczuk Government’s rollout of digital hospitals.

Minister for Health and Minister for Ambulance Services Steven Miles said digital hospitals allowed clinicians to monitor a patient’s vital signs such as blood pressure, temperature and heart rate in real time through advanced technology.

“Technology advancements are a key part of how we will improve the health of all Queenslanders,” Minister Miles said.

“Electronic medical records can be accessed in real time by simply scanning a unique bar code on the patient’s identity wristband with a handheld device.

“This tool, among others, is showing remarkable improvements in patient outcomes. 

“Data analysed from five of Queensland’s digital hospitals has shown an 88 per cent reduction in pressure injuries and a 37 per cent reduction in hospital acquired infections.

“On-the-go monitoring allows clinicians to immediately identify any spikes or dips in a patient’s condition and quickly provide treatment.”

The digital hospital program is a key focus of today’s eHealth Expo held in Brisbane, which also highlights future developments such as artificial intelligence, genomics, data analytics, digital wearable devices, apps, robotics, virtual reality and 3D printing.

“The rollout of the digital hospital program, including the implementation of the integrated electronic Medical Record (ieMR), is reducing errors, improving patient outcomes, and reducing costs.

“By 2020, 80 per cent of patients receiving public healthcare in Queensland will be treated in a digital hospital.

Queensland Health’s Chief Information Officer and Chief Executive of eHealth Queensland Dr Richard Ashby said digital transformation is how we will continue to advance our health system.

“In Queensland’s digital hospitals, we are seeing significant safety and quality gains, patient experience improvements and a more sustainable structure,” he said.

“There are also a number of improvements in administrative duties, meaning clinical records can be retrieved immediately, a patient’s vital signs are recorded instantly and reduced stationery costs.

“These improvements in quality all translate to more available bed days to meet growing demand and more sustainable cost structure.”

For more details visit the event website - ehealthexpo.health.qld.gov.au

By 2020, there will be 27 digital hospitals across Queensland:

Digital Hospitals currently live:

• Princess Alexandra Hospital
• Mackay Base Hospital
• Lady Cilento Children’s Hospital
• Logan Hospital
• Beaudesert Hospital
• Redland Hospital
• Wynnum Manly Community Health Centre Gundu Pa
• The Queen Elizabeth Jubilee Hospital

Hospitals to go live in 2018:

• Townsville Hospital
• Sunshine Coast University Hospital
• Nambour Hospital
• Ipswich Hospital

 Hospitals to go live in 2019:

• Gold Coast University Hospital
• Toowoomba Hospital
• Robina Hospital

 Hospitals to go live by 2020:

• Cairns Hospital
• Rockhampton Hospital
• Bundaberg Hospital
• Hervey Bay Hospital
• Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital
• The Prince Charles Hospital
• Redcliffe Hospital
• Caboolture Hospital
• Thursday Island Hospital
• Roma Hospital
• Longreach Hospital
• Mount Isa Hospital

ENDS

Media contact:            Hamish Bessant – 0408 076 036