Innovative Strides In Cardiac Care

Two outstanding members of the Clinical Measurements Unit (CMU) at Mackay Base Hospital have soared to a remarkable milestone, revolutionising care across the Mackay Hospital and Health Service (MHHS) region.

Cardiac scientists Janine and Annie work closely with the Cardiology team when either a pacemaker or implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) is implanted in a patient. They then provide ongoing follow up and monitoring for patients.

‘Since we began implanting more complex ‘high voltage’ devices, a total of 40 ICDs have been implanted at MBH, where previously these patients were transferred to either Townsville or Brisbane for their implant," Annie said.

“We reached a one-year milestone on November 18 since our first ICD implant (Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator), and we are proud of this achievement.”

“It’s a huge development for Mackay to have the ability to offer this service,” Janine said.

“I believe Mackay Base Hospital (MBH) is punching above its weight in delivering cardiac care, and this has greatly improved the service we can give to our patients.”

The development has been made possible due to the efforts of cardiologist Dr Dominika Budzbon, who had previously implanted cardiac devices while working in the UK.

Her experience and willingness to impart her knowledge was instrumental in developing the MHHS cardiac device service.

The cardiac device team monitors approximately 500 patients with either implanted pacemakers, ICDs or CRTs (Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy) across the MHHS region.

Patients attend outpatient clinics in CMU where their devices are checked every six or twelve months.

“Most of these patients also have remote monitors at home, which transmit alerts and notifications to our clinic,” Annie said.

It makes for a busy workload for this small team, but Janine and Annie, who both completed a Bachelor of Biomedical Science degree at the University of the Sunshine Coast, love the role.

As part of their studies, they undertook a 12-week placement in the Cardiac Investigations Unit at Nambour General Hospital.

“I completed my degree as a mature age student and studied science due to my previous interest in it at school; I had no expectations and just wanted to challenge myself,” Janine said.

“I chose a cardiac placement because my mum had had a previous heart attack which resulted in her having a heart bypass.”

Annie also stressed the significance of her placement.

“I just loved it because students on placement do everything from attaching holter monitors to people, to watching pacemaker checks and the cath lab in action.

“It was just great, particularly as it consolidated all the theory we’d learned at uni, and it just made sense.

“Cardiac is really interesting. I feel like we could study every day for the rest of our lives and still never know it all.”

By Mackay Hospital and Health Service

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Cardiac scientists Janine and Annie. Photo supplied: Mackay Hospital and Health Service