WA Country Health trialling innovative technology to detect RHD in the Pilbara

WA Country Health Service (WACHS) is using innovative technology to help stamp out Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) in the Pilbara. 

According to WA Country Health Service’s Project Nurse Coordinator for NEARER SCAN, Chantelle Pears, RHD is a serious disease involving damage to one or more of the four small heart valves and disproportionately affects Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Western Australia.

“RHD is a completely preventable cardiac condition that affects Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Western Australia and contributes to a gap in life expectancy and long-term cardiovascular morbidity in children and adults,” she said.

Partnering with Menzies School of Health Research, WACHS Pilbara is participating in the Non-Expert Acquisition and Remote Expert Review of Screening echocardiography images from Child health and AnteNatal clinics (NEARER SCAN) study - evaluating the implementation of a novel diagnostic tool to screen for RHD in at-risk children and pregnant women.

Utilising portable heart ultrasound technology, the handheld echocardiography devices can be used in community settings to scan the heart to help detect evidence of RHD.

To achieve this, WACHS is supporting eight healthcare workers, including five Aboriginal health staff, to undertake non-expert echocardiography training for the study.

Supported by a team of experts, they will engage in training sessions, including theoretical, hands-on, and face-to-face training to perform RHD screening echocardiograms in the Pilbara.

Ms Pears said this novel technology would help to increase equitable access to effective and culturally safe RHD care.

“We have a real opportunity to change the landscape of how RHD is detected, diagnosed and managed in the Pilbara.

“Elevating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander expertise and experiences through the NEARER SCAN study with innovative RHD detection, earlier treatment and better care coordination on Country will mean a healthier youth now and into the future,” she added.

While enhancing RHD diagnosis, the project’s implementation will also support in upskilling country clinicians to improve patient outcomes.

“As well as embedding routine RHD screening in Karratha and Roebourne, our trainees and research team are working on an exciting collaboration with the Puntukurnu Aboriginal Medical Service (PAMS) and Jigalong Community Board to undertake a population RHD screening event in Jigalong in November.”