Two small islands and Novosorb® BTM: Telehealth across the Pacific

Rebecca Schrale¹, Andrew Castley¹, Scott Buadromo², Ravniel Singh³, Mereia Seru³, Sarika Karan³,
¹Tasmanian Burns Unit, Royal Hobart Hospital, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
²Labasa Hospital, Labasa Fiji
³Fiji Burns Unit, Colonial War Memorial Hospital, Suva Fiji

Abstract

Introduction:
Is Telehealth possible across the Pacific? The Tasmanian Burns Unit continues to support and mentor the Fiji Burns Unit through education and now through the trial of Novosorb® BTM.

Method:
Through the support of PolyNovo and Interplast Australia and New Zealand we were able to initiate discussions and provide ongoing education through the utilisation of telehealth. On a recent Surgical & EMSB Interplast trip to Suva, Fiji we began the trial.

Pre arrival education was provided by key clinicians and PolyNovo staff, followed by face-to-face education with the MDT Team, initial application of the BTM and dressing changes. Dressing changes, including intraoperative and post operative management needed to support the use of existing practices and products that are easily accessible and available in the long term.

Following our return to Tasmania we have continued to support the Burns Unit with dressing review, education and trouble shooting. The ongoing focus of the initiative is to provide a product that is robust to infection and will provide functional and cosmetic outcomes for the Fiji population.

Results & Conclusion:
At the time of submitting this paper, we have successfully treated two paediatric patients with BTM and continue to follow their progress through telehealth. This paper will discuss the challenges and the lessons learned from Telehealth and the results of the initiative.

Biography

Burns Nurse Practitioner for the Tasmanian Burns Unit, including statewide case management, education, prevention, policy, research and data collection.