Dr Zoe Schofield1,2, Dr Mardi Steere1,2, Dr Fergus Gardiner1
1Royal Flying Doctor Service, Adelaide, Australia, 2Charles Darwin University , Darwin, Australia
Abstract:
Over 50,000 people have a stroke each year in Australia. Rural and Remote Australian’s experience higher rates of stroke and are twice as likely to experience severe disability. A major reason for this is lack of access to timely care such as accurate brain imaging and treatments such as thrombolysis.
The RFDS retrieves almost 1000 patients a year for stroke. Over a third of patients have not received a scan and the rest require transfer to a tertiary facility where they can receive treatment. Sadly, only 3% of rural and remote patients are treated in a stroke unit, compared to 77% of patients in metropolitan areas. The Australian Stroke Alliance, conceived by Profs. Davis and Donnan, is developing light-weight brain scanners to rapidly deliver pre-hospital stroke care by air and road. This is underpinned by education and a national telehealth platform. The RFDS is a key partner of the Australian Stroke Alliance working to deliver the world’s first stroke capable aircraft. These technologies will enable brain scanning at the patient retrieval site to provide rapid diagnosis and treatment within the critical 4.5-hour window. This will enable informed clinical decision making to get the patients that need it to a stroke unit for treatment.
This project provides many firsts. Developing the scanners, putting the scanners onto aircraft and using them in non-traditional environments e.g. on a very hot or cold runway in the middle of the Simpson Desert. There are data infrastructure challenges and limited telecommunications which are essential to connect rural and remote patients and first responders to city-based neurologists to provide urgent care in the air. We are collaborating with satellite communication companies and specialists in aircraft modification to integrate mobile satellite communications and the portable scanners into the Pilatus PC-12 and the Beech King Air B200 C.
Biographies:
Dr Zoe Schofield PhD, is the Head of Translational Research, at the Royal Flying Doctor Service. After completing her PhD in immunology, at the University of Queensland, she returned to the UK to investigate the microbiome and helped develop the first interactive walk through gut. Zoe returned to Australia in 2019, just before the apocalypse, to work in primary health. She designed and implemented programs in chronic disease, mental health, telehealth and palliative care, resulting in reduced hospitalisations and improved patient care. Zoe is committed to be improving access to health care for rural and remote Australians.