http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,25886675-3102,00.htmlA CRITICALLY ill 16-year-old girl with suspected swine flu has been airlifted from Townsville to Sydney to access life-saving medical equipment.
Deputy Premier Paul Lucas told Parliament today that Queensland's Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young made the decision to transfer the teenager to St Vincent's Hospital last night following advice from intensive care specialists.
He said the patient required treatment with a heart-lung bypass machine, not traditionally used in intensive care for patients with the flu.
The extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, or ECMO, machines are usually used when someone is having open-heart surgery to take over the role of the heart and lungs.
However, in recent weeks the machines have proved useful in treating younger patients critically ill with swine flu. They oxygenate the blood of patients whose heart or lungs are no longer functioning adequately.
Mr Lucas said six ECMO machines are available in Queensland ? three at The Prince Charles Hospital in Brisbane, two at the Princess Alexandra and one at the Mater Children's.
Five were in use yesterday, when the 16-year-old girl required treatment.
"I am advised the doctors considered the best option for the patient was to transfer her to Sydney ... which would leave some capacity in Brisbane should another patient require ECMO in the coming days," Mr Lucas said.
Two more ECMO machines have been ordered for Queensland and are due to arrive early next week.
Deputy Premier Paul Lucas told Parliament today that Queensland's Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young made the decision to transfer the teenager to St Vincent's Hospital last night following advice from intensive care specialists.
He said the patient required treatment with a heart-lung bypass machine, not traditionally used in intensive care for patients with the flu.
The extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, or ECMO, machines are usually used when someone is having open-heart surgery to take over the role of the heart and lungs.
However, in recent weeks the machines have proved useful in treating younger patients critically ill with swine flu. They oxygenate the blood of patients whose heart or lungs are no longer functioning adequately.
Mr Lucas said six ECMO machines are available in Queensland ? three at The Prince Charles Hospital in Brisbane, two at the Princess Alexandra and one at the Mater Children's.
Five were in use yesterday, when the 16-year-old girl required treatment.
"I am advised the doctors considered the best option for the patient was to transfer her to Sydney ... which would leave some capacity in Brisbane should another patient require ECMO in the coming days," Mr Lucas said.
Two more ECMO machines have been ordered for Queensland and are due to arrive early next week.