Health system that can cut wait time for results to 15 minutes expanded to Rockingham General Hospital

A bedside testing system that can cut waiting times for results from up to six hours to about 15 minutes will be expanded to Rockingham General Hospital. The Spotfire respiratory testing system is designed to help health professionals quickly identify common respiratory illnesses such as influenza, RSV and COVID-19 The $3.2 million initiative under the State Government’s winter strategy is intended to improve patient flow and reduce pressure on hospitals during peak respiratory illness periods. The testing system is being expanded to Rockingham General Hospital after being trialled at Armadale Health Service. It will then be rolled out across selected regional emergency departments. It can detect up to 15 viral and bacterial pathogens within minutes. Previously, respiratory samples were transported off-site for laboratory testing, with results taking up to six hours. Testing is now available at the patient’s bedside, reducing turnaround times to about 15 minutes. For patients presenting with respiratory symptoms, this means faster assessment, earlier treatment, reducing unnecessary delays and improving their overall experience. The rollout comes as WA hospitals prepare for increased seasonal demand and higher hospital presentations linked to respiratory illness during the winter months. Health Minister Meredith Hammat said it would ensure patients would receive timely diagnosis and treatment when it mattered most. “Respiratory illnesses place significant pressure on our health system each year, particularly during winter, and rapid testing is critical to ensuring patients receive care sooner,” she said. “By giving health professionals faster test results in the ED, patients can be diagnosed and treated quicker, reducing waiting times and improving care. “The success at Armadale Health Service shows how this technology can make a real difference, and we’re now expanding it at selected hospitals across the State.”