Robotic cardiac ultrasound offers world-first care to rural towns

Regional and remote communities will benefit from a world-first cardiac robotic ultrasound, removing the barriers for Queenslanders to access quality cardiac care.

The new specialised remote-controlled robotic arm system is operated remotely by a sonographer to accurately investigate and safely perform diagnostic ultrasound imaging.

The collaborative robot, or COBOT, will be used on cardiac patients in Longreach and Cloncurry providing same day access and reporting of results.

The robotic ultrasound will allow patients to remain in their community and eliminate the need to travel to metropolitan hospitals.

"If we can help GPs in regional and remote areas diagnose the problem, early treatment is much better than waiting until people get really sick," said CCRG Director Professor John Fraser.

Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital Director of Cardiac Sciences, Dr Adam Scott said the new technology will transform rural healthcare reducing rural disparity and removing barriers, giving patients the right treatment at the right time in the right location.

“Regional and remote communities have smaller populations which limits full cardiology services, with patients travelling long distances to a metropolitan location for care or waiting for an outreach team to visit their community,” Dr Scott said.

Article originally published by Queensland Health.