Nation leading innovation and survival rates for Tasmanian premmies

Tasmanian families can have confidence that if their baby is born early, they will have access to world-class care and facilities.

When we think of hospital care, it’s hard to imagine a more vulnerable group of patients than babies who are born prematurely.

The outstanding success of the Royal Hobart Hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (or NICU) has recently been attributed to the significantly increased survival rate for premature babies.

Since 2003, when survival rates did not meet the national average, the RHH NICU has

progressively improved neonatal survival rates, so that survival rates at every gestational age are now on par with, or ahead of, the national average.

These improvements in neonatal survival rates have been achieved through investment in state-of-the-art facilities, contemporary equipment, and a strong culture of innovation.

Under the leadership of Professor Peter Dargaville, the RHH NICU has developed the ‘Hobart Method’ as a less invasive method to deliver a lipid-protein solution (surfactant) to treat respiratory distress in premature babies.

This method means the need to insert a breathing tube is avoided, which reduces the risk of lung damage and pneumonia.

The ‘Hobart Method’ is now widely used, both in Australia and internationally.

Another impressive innovation has been achieved by our own Professor Dargaville in collaboration with Dr. Tim Gale from the University of Tasmania’s Engineering Department.

Together, they have invented a more sensitive system to continuously control oxygen concentration for preterm infants.

Clinical studies at the RHH NICU have confirmed that this new technology can improve preterm babies’ oxygen levels by 20-25 per cent, compared with standard measures.

Following the medical advances pioneered here in Tasmania, the focus is now on creating devices that will be financially accessible in low and middle-income countries.

It can be a challenging time for families with a premature baby in the NICU, and these innovations, coupled with the dedication of our amazing NICU staff, mean that Tasmanian families can be confident that if their baby is born early, they will have access to world-class care and facilities.