Hospital Gives Record Number of Children Specialised Procedure in One Day | Western Cape Government

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Hospital Gives Record Number of Children Specialised Procedure in One Day

11 July 2010

On Friday 9 July 2010, five children, two of whom are younger than two months old, have had vascular access lines inserted in their neck veins at Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital.

The children, aged three (3) weeks, six (6) weeks, five (5) years, six (6) years and eight (8) years, all had the long-term lines inserted, for various diagnoses, which indicates the high quality of specialised care that Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital is able to give its patients, specifically for such small babies, said Dr Sharon Cox, a paediatric Surgeon.

Dr Cox explained that the lines could be used longer term, for up to a year, for feeding, withdrawing blood and administering medicine. This is less invasive for the patient because normal lines need to be changed frequently to prevent infection, which subjects the child to continuous painful needle pricks and is more damaging to the veins.

It's very rare to do five in one day, said Dr Cox. New methods of inserting the devices have been developed and in recent months Red Cross War Memorial Children Hospital (RCWMCH) held a workshop at the hospital to teach other doctors and nurses, including several from private health institutions, how to insert the line, using ultrasound guidance - rather than cutting.

The workshop was held in the Pola Pasvolsky Lecture Theatre using a live link to the hospitals new state of the art operating theatres. The link, which was installed when the theatres were upgraded last year, can broadcast live surgeries from three of the eight operating theatres to the lecture theatre and has a two-way communication link.

"The workshop was so successful that a second one is being planned for later in the year. We are using the technology to educate and train professionals inside and outside the hospital", Dr Cox said.

Issued by:
Directorate Communications
Western Cape Department of Health

Media Enquiries: 

Lauren O'Connor
Principal Communications Officer
Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital
Tel: 021 658 5448
Cell: 084 586 1413
Email: rxhpro@pgwc.gov.za