A key feature of the new Bundaberg Hospital will be an enhanced pneumatic tube system, which will speed up pathology testing and help people get the right treatment in the fastest possible manner.
Pathology Queensland Supervising Scientist Greg Kelly said pneumatic tube systems played an essential role in hospitals.
"Using the analogy of a train network, the system uses compressed air (engines) to send cylindrical containers (trains) that contain blood and pathology samples from our clinical wards (stations) to our laboratory," Greg said.
"The pneumatic tube system, known for its speed, will operate 24/7 and enable us to move specimens and blood products between departments and the lab within minutes.
"The system’s technology will also allow more urgent samples from areas such as the intensive care unit or emergency department to receive priority sorting and improve the overall turnaround time of results.”
“Our pharmacy team will also use the system to transfer some pharmaceutical supplies to our hospital wards."
Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service (WBHHS) Chief Operating Officer Ben Ross-Edwards said the pneumatic tube system at the existing hospital on Bourbong Street was a limited connection between pathology and the emergency department.
“Having access to a state-of-the-art pneumatic tube system across the entire hospital building is one of many things that WBHHS and Pathology Queensland team are excited about," he said.
"There are undoubtably many benefits to our patients as Pathology Queensland will be receiving their samples for testing much quicker.
"It also means much less manual handling for our staff that currently deliver specimens and blood products by foot, leaving them to refocus their time and efforts on supporting patient treatment and care."
You can read more about the new Bundaberg Hospital by visiting www.widebay.health.qld.gov.au/new-bundaberg-hospital.