Nepean Hospital ED redefines emergency ultrasound care
Nepean Hospital’s Emergency Department (ED) is setting a new standard in emergency diagnostics, providing state-of-the-art ultrasound services that speed up diagnosis, improve patient care, and help reduce hospital stays.
The Nepean Emergency Diagnostic Ultrasound (NEDUS) service delivers advanced ultrasound imaging for life-threatening conditions and informs urgent treatment decisions, bridging the gap between basic bedside ultrasounds and more comprehensive scans typically provided by a medical imaging department.
With 10 ultrasound machines, a dedicated ultrasound suite, two probe sterilisation units, and an advanced ED ultrasound education program, the service is considered one of the most unique and advanced within NSW.
Leaders in innovation
Nepean Hospital is a leading institution for emergency ultrasound with expert faculty, specialised protocols, high-end equipment, and nationally recognised education programs.
It is home to two of only five emergency physicians in the entire state who hold a Diploma in Diagnostic Ultrasound (DDU), Dr Behzad Mirmiran and Dr Vijay Manivel.
Both Behzad and Vijay lead a team that is actively involved in setting policies and governance for ED ultrasound across NBMLHD.
“We are pioneering a model where nurse practitioners and clinical assistants perform ultrasound-guided procedures – something that is uncommon in most emergency departments,” says Vijay, ED Director of Emergency Ultrasound Training.
“We plan to expand our DDU holders to six, which will make us the only hospital in NSW with such a high concentration of highly credentialed sonologist clinicians,” explains Vijay.
Streamlining patient care and improving outcomes
Ultrasound is a vital tool for rapid diagnosis, helping quickly narrow down and guide immediate clinical decisions.
Emergency Ultrasound Clinical Lead, Dr Behzad Mirmiran says the NEDUS team is helping to significantly reduce patients’ length of stay in the hospital by allowing faster diagnosis and treatment, with approximately 2,000 scans performed each year.
“We use advanced ultrasound guidance for procedures such as nerve blocks and drainages. This improves safety by minimising complications like misplaced needles or tissue injuries, and ensures we accurately target the right location every time,” says Behzad.
Across the District, ED presentations can vary wildly due to the diverse health makeup of the region. The use of ultrasound can greatly improve their outcomes.
“Whether you are a patient with sudden stomach pain, someone with early pregnancy concerns, or someone struggling to breathe, ultrasound allows us to facilitate earlier life-saving treatment. We can perform a gallbladder scan, assess early pregnancies, or diagnose a range of urgent conditions at the bedside,” continues Behzad.
Delivering robust education and training
As an already established leader in tertiary education, it comes as no surprise that the Nepean ED ultrasound team is setting new benchmarks in education and training.
“We’re dedicated to training consultants to a minimum of certificate-level ultrasound proficiency, while also providing avenues for advanced accreditation, such as the prestigious Diploma of Diagnostic Ultrasound,” says Vijay.
Beyond education, the team is actively engaged in several multi-centre research projects that are significantly contributing to the ongoing advancement of ultrasound practice in emergency medicine.
Interdepartmental collaboration and support
Nepean Hospital's ED ultrasound service is a testament to what can be achieved with dedicated leadership, innovative practices, and strong interdepartmental collaboration.
The intensive care, gynaecology, cardiology, and radiology departments actively support the NEDUS’s education programs and contribute specialist expertise to its ongoing development.
“It’s a privilege to work in an environment that fosters shared learning with such collegiality. It only enhances patient care,” claims Behzad. “The Hospital has been highly supportive of our service, investing significant resources and time to develop the program. They recognise the value we bring in providing safer, more efficient care.”
By pushing the boundaries of emergency diagnostics through advanced ultrasound, comprehensive training, and cutting-edge research, Nepean Hospital is not only improving health outcomes for the diverse community it serves but also setting a new national standard for emergency medicine.