Ingham ‘best in state’ two years on the trot

Ingham Health Service has been awarded for the second time in two years a prestigious pathology award recognising excellence in point-of-care testing, allowing clinicians to make faster decisions about patient care.

The Pathology Queensland State-wide Point-of-Care Testing Excellence in Quality award recognises the performance of point-of-care testing sites across Queensland for the past year. It is awarded in four categories, with Ingham Health Service winning the ‘Best in State’ award.

Pathology Queensland State-wide Point-of-Care Testing Lead Cameron Martin said that Ingham Health Service had to meet a range of criteria to be considered for the award, and for the second year running they have come out on top.

‘Point-of-care testing enables clinicians to get test results quickly, allowing them to make informed decisions immediately about the patient in front of them. This technology makes a huge difference to a remote facility like Ingham where there is no onsite pathology lab to process patient blood tests,’ Mr Martin said.

‘High test success rates and high patient identification compliance are key criteria that we look at when deciding who to recognise. With over 300 facilities using the technology, and using it extremely well, it is always a tight finish.

‘For the second year running, Ingham Health Service was awarded ‘best in state’ for stellar patient identification rates, ensuring test results were attributed to the right patient allowing clinicians to diagnose and treat patients appropriately.

‘Last year alone, more than 400,000 people across Queensland got their results via point-of-care testing technology; however, that number is even higher when you look at the individual tests being analysed, which is over one million tests.’

Ingham Hospital Director of Nursing Janine Johnson said the team were thrilled to be recognised for their contribution to the success of point-of-care testing across the state.

“The immediacy of crucial test results is the clear benefit of using point-of-care testing, with these test results guiding early management of patients and helping with decision making on treating patients locally or transferring,” she said.

“To be recognised for our use of a system which has such a positive impact on the experience our patients have in our hospital, and assists our clinicians, is really great and we are thankful.”

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