Technology helps save a baby’s life
A five-month-old child from Kukerin has the Emergency Telehealth System to thank after it helped save her life when she was suffering from respiratory distress.
Chloe Gooding had a cough that rapidly escalated and her mother had to rush her to Dumbleyung Hospital.
Philippa Gooding rang Dumbleyung Hospital before their arrival so they could have the ETS system on standby.
ETS doctor Peter Leman, who is a paediatric emergency and acute medicine specialist, gave an initial diagnosis of bronchiolitis and then guided the Dumbleyung Hospital nurse in providing emergency paediatric care.
Chloe was then stabilised and transported by ambulance to Narrogin Hospital, where she was met by a member of the Newborn Emergency Transport Service and Royal Flying Doctor Service.
Once she reached Princess Margaret Hospital, the diagnosis of bronchiolitis was confirmed and Chloe spent 24 hours in the paediatric intensive care unit before being moved to the recovery ward and being discharged.
Dr Leman said Chloe could have died if she had not received proper treatment at Dumbleyung Hospital.
“ETS was a vital part of the chain of survival,” he said.
“The combined services of the ETS, local registered nurse, volunteer St John ambulance, Narrogin Hospital team, RFDS and NETS prevented a potentially fatal event.”
Chloe’s mother Philippa agreed with Dr Leman.
“I hate to think what would have happened if we didn’t have emergency services as close as Dumbleyung and I’d had to drive further,” she said.
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