Wagga Wagga Base Hospital vascular surgeon Dr Nathaniel Chiang demonstrates the Lumify vascular scanner with Kooringal Rotary Club president Trevor Webb. Photo: Shri Gayathirie Rajen.
Wagga Wagga Base Hospital can now perform real-time investigational and interventional procedures at the bedside with ease thanks to Kooringal Rotary Club.
The club donated a Lumify vascular scanner, a high-quality, portable ultrasound device worth more than $10,000, to the hospital.
Vascular surgeon Dr Nathaniel Chiang said the device was multipurpose as it could be used for blood sampling, venesection, looking for soft tissue issues and collections.
“For the vascular team, we can examine the blood vessels looking at veins and arteries to see DVTs (deep vein thrombosis) and in clots in the vessels,” Dr Chiang said.
He said the scanner made drawing blood from patients easier.
“Some people have very difficult veins [can’t be found easily], and instead of traumatising them by making multiple attempts, they can get it right the first time,” Dr Chiang said.
He said about five of his junior colleagues used the portable ultrasound, and appreciated its effectiveness for drawing patients’ blood.
Dr Chiang said the machine was used multiple times during the day.
Surgical registrar Dr Zhi Kiat said the donation had improved patient experience in the hospital.
“The patients don’t have to go through multiple stabbings unnecessarily, and the machine is nice and easy to move around, and it is less bulky,” Dr Kiat said.
Kooringal Rotary president Trevor Webb said the idea to donate the machine came from a friend who also used the device.
“He kindly donated 50 per cent of the cost, and we raised the remaining funds,” Mr Webb said.
Wagga Base Hospital general manager Troy Trgetaric, Professor Len Bruce and vascular surgeon Dr Nathaniel Chiang thank Kooringal Rotary president Trevor Webb and treasurer Phillip Tome for donating the vascular scanner. Photo: Shri Gayathirie Rajen.
“Rotary is about raising money, and all the money from Rotary goes back into the community.”
Hospital general manager Troy Trgetaric thanked the club, saying the new machine would change the doctors’ interactions with patients.
“We are thankful to Rotary for their generous support and donation, providing additional resources that assist staff and ultimately improve patient care,” Mr Trgetaric said.
Executive director of medical services at Murrumbidgee Local Health District, Professor Len Bruce, said the junior doctors would be trained before using the scanner.
Professor Bruce said the benefit of the donation was that by putting the hospital wish list forward, they were able to get equipment sooner than they normally would.
“As doctors, we all have our list of toys we want. There is a big one … like Santa’s list every year,” he said.
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