A revolution in the treatment of stroke patients is well on its way with installation to begin soon on the region’s first BiPlane, a clot retrieval service.
This follows many significant steps taken in recent months, including:
- the design and positioning of the BiPlane have been finalised, and services have been aligned to suit existing infrastructure,
- the location for the 3-D imaging BiPlane Unit in the Sunshine Coast University Hospital has been confirmed,
- construction is well underway at that future site - the contractor has completed demolition, slab preparation, core hole drilling and medical gas works. Construction activities are on track,
- clinical teams have selected the lighting and supporting equipment to maximise the safe and effective use of the Biplane Unit,
- the AV requirements have been finalised,
- Sunshine Coast Health is working towards delivery of the Biplane by the end of August, and
- installation and commissioning activities will commence in September.
The BiPlane is a high-tech medical imaging machine that provides 3D, real-time visuals of blood vessels in the brain, allowing surgeons to quickly locate and remove blockages.
Wishlist CEO Brendan Hogan said the Sunshine Coast’s local hospital charity is grateful to have been able to purchase the life-saving equipment through the generosity of the Sunshine Coast and Gympie communities.
“When stroke hits every minute counts,” Brendan said.
“This equipment will often be the difference between life and death, or life and serious impairment for many stroke patients on the Sunshine Coast and in Gympie.
“Regional Australians are 17% more likely to experience a stroke than those in metro areas - currently, severe stroke and aneurysm patients in this region must endure a critical 90-minute ambulance or airlift transfer to Brisbane.”
