Minister for Health Cameron Dick announced $600,000 would be invested in rolling out rapid point-of-care testing in 15 of the state’s largest public hospitals in 2018.

Mr Dick said Mount Isa Hospital would be one of the facilities to benefit from the technology.

“Point-of-care tests screen for influenza A and B strains and can provide results within 30 minutes,” Mr Dick said.

“This testing is very efficient and would greatly assist Mount Isa Hospital in the early diagnosis and management of people with flu.

“It will also help the hospital manage admission and care for those who need it most.”

Mount Isa Hospital Director of Emergency Dr Ulrich Orda said point-of-care testing for influenza would allow the hospital to very quickly identify a patient’s condition.

“This is particularly important in a regional hospital like Mount Isa that serves the entire North West community and where many of our patients are brought in from very distant communities,” Dr Orda said.

“With this sort of rapid testing, we can have an almost instant diagnosis rather than waiting for lengthier full laboratory tests to decide on a course of treatment.

“For patients from isolated communities who are keen to return home, this reduces their time in hospital and away from family and friends.

“In addition, a rapid reliable test for influenza strains allows us to limit antibiotic use to those who require it and avoid unnecessary use of antibiotics that can lead to potential issues of resistance.’’

Mr Dick said the Palaszczuk Government would also invest $700,000 in automated blood culture machines to replace the current systems in 2018.

“These machines quickly detect infections that are spreading through the blood stream,” he said.

“This improved technology will lead to more efficient and timely diagnosis and management of bacterial infections secondary to influenza.”